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Water Charging
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conditions will be imposed on water consumers who wish to change to a tariff-based system of charging. [64542]
Mr. Meale: Under present arrangements, the tariff and method of calculation of water charges and the choices offered to consumers are at the discretion of water undertakers.
The Government propose to introduce increased choice and consumer protection for domestic water customers through the Water Industry Bill, now in Committee. The Bill proposes to give all household consumers the right to change to a measured basis of charging free of initial costs for meter installation. The only restriction on this right would be in cases where it was not reasonably practicable or would involve unreasonable expense. As a further
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important consumer protection, customers exercising their new right to opt for a meter would have the option of reverting to unmeasured charging after a year.
The Bill also proposes to introduce a new right for consumers currently paying on an unmeasured basis to stay on an unmeasured charge in their present homes, except where they are consuming water for non-essential purposes.
It is proposed to use new powers under the Bill to protect vulnerable customers with high essential water use from measured bills that are higher than average.
The Government also wish to see water companies go beyond these new legal requirements to develop tariffs that offer greater customer choice and have regard both to social and environmental objectives. It will be for companies to introduce new tariffs, which would, under the provisions of the Bill, require the approval of the Director General of Water Services.
Ms Atherton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance his Department will offer to local authorities in Cornwall to deal with problems arising from the total eclipse of the sun on 11 August 1999. [65032]
Mr. Raynsford:
The Government expect the problems arising from the eclipse to be overcome through effective planning and co-ordination in accordance with the principles of Integrated Emergency Management. We are aware that relevant public bodies are working hard locally to ensure that effective arrangements are in place. The Government will be keeping a close watch on developments.
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Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to require the provision of automatic train protection. [64668]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
We are currently considering formal proposals, submitted by the Health and Safety Commission just before Christmas, that would require train protection measures (to stop trains automatically in danger situations) to be fitted to all trains and to key signals by 1 January 2004.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of track maintenance carried out by Railtrack. [64662]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Railtrack and its contractors are required under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that risks to people's health and safety from their work activity are properly controlled. This includes the maintenance of its railway infrastructure. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) monitors Railtrack's compliance with the law.
HSE's Railway Inspectorate has identified some locations where track standards have fallen below an acceptable level. They have reminded Railtrack of its responsibilities and ensured that the appropriate action has been taken to maintain safety. HSE will not hesitate to take further action which they consider appropriate to ensure safety is not being compromised.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the numbers and locations of speed restrictions put in place by Railtrack for safety reasons at (a) 1 May 1996, (b) 1 May 1997 and (c) 1 May 1998 and those on the day responsibility was handed over from British Rail to Railtrack. [64663]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The information requested is not held by my Department or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). There is no specific legislation which requires Railtrack to report details of speed restriction it imposes to the HSE.
Dr. Cable:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the respective roles of the Secretary of State, Rail Regulator and Franchise Director in resolving failures of co-ordination between Railtrack and rail franchisees. [64929]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The general duties of the Secretary of State, the Rail Regulator and the Franchising Director are set out in sections 4 and 5 of the Railways Act 1993.
The Rail Regulator has published a policy statement about the need for more effective consultation and better co-ordination between Railtrack and the train operating companies, and between train operators themselves, on timetable planning. Proposals to introduce a formal
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consultation process to take place in advance of the timetabling bidding cycle are currently being considered by the rail industry.
Dr. Cable:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what emergency powers he has to override Railtrack and rail franchisee managers where their activities pose a threat to safety and to the national economy. [64930]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Health and Safety Executive have powers under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 to ensure that safety risks to people at work are properly controlled, including the power to take enforcement action. Under section 118 of the Railways Act 1993, in time of "great national emergency" the Secretary of State may give directions to the Rail Regulator, the Franchising Director, the owner or operator of a railway asset, and any provider of railway services.
Dr. Cable:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what penalties have been imposed on (a) Railtrack, (b) South West Trains and (c) other franchisees as a result of failures of co-ordination between Railtrack and franchisees. [64928]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Franchising Director does not have a contractual relationship with Railtrack. Railtrack has regulated commercial agreements with Train Operating Companies which include incentive arrangements. The Franchising Director's franchise agreement with South West Trains includes a performance regime that rewards and penalises improvements and deterioration in punctuality and reliability. Similar arrangements apply to other London commuter franchises and some regional and rural rail services. The cash flows under the regime are published in the OPRAF Quarterly Bulletins, which are in the Library of the House.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the powers available to (a) his Department and (b) the Rail Regulator to control (i) frequency of service and (ii) fare costs on the Heathrow Express. [64666]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Any changes to the frequency of service on the Heathrow Express would be a commercial matter for negotiation between the parties concerned, namely Heathrow Express Operating Company Limited (HEOCL) and Railtrack. Under current legislation, the Heathrow Express service is exempt from licence conditions relating to the level of fares that may be charged. Any modifications to the licence could be obtained only by agreement with HEOCL itself or by reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Council meeting in Vienna on 11 and 12 December in respect of the integration of environmental requirements into transport policy. [64661]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Transport Council submitted a report on integrating the environment and sustainable development into the transport policy of the Community
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to the Vienna European Council. The report, copies of which have been placed in the House Library, sets out details of the progress that has been made to date and of further action that is needed. The European Council welcomed the report and invited the Transport Council to continue its work with a view to submitting a comprehensive strategy, including a timetable for further measures and a set of indicators, to the Helsinki European Council at the end of 1999.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications for fair competition arising out of arrangements entered into by Railtrack and Virgin in respect of the West Coast main line. [64667]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The access agreement between Railtrack and Virgin Trains was approved by the Rail Regulator in June 1998. The regulator considered many public interest duties when approving these access rights, including the development of rail services and the protection of the interests of customers of other train operating companies using the line, both passenger and freight. The proposed Strategic Rail Authority will, when established, set the longer-term framework for competition.
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