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Paddington Station
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 and platform space at Paddington station. [64665]
Ms Glenda Jackson: The adequacy of track and platform space at Paddington Station is a matter for the station operator, Railtrack. The number of platforms available for use at Paddington Station are stated in Railtrack's Railway Safety Case, under which the company is required to operate.
The Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate is satisfied that adequate arrangements are in place for managing congestion at Paddington Station.
Sewage Works (Isle of Wight)
Dr. Brand: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timing of the introduction of secondary sewage treatment at the new sewage works under construction at Yaverland, Sandown, Isle of Wight. [65273]
Mr. Meale:
The Government announced in September that secondary sewage treatment would be required for all significant coastal outfalls in England and Wales. In cases which were formerly potential derogations to a lower level of treatment, such as Yaverland, we are encouraging water and sewage companies to make as rapid progress as possible with installation of secondary treatment. The timing of improvements to coastal discharges is being discussed between the Environment Agency and individual companies and will be agreed by Ministers early this year, as part of an approved company investment programme.
11 Jan 1999 : Column: 48
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in reducing risks to professional drivers and other road users arising from the use of vehicles on the road for work purposes. [64703]
Mr. Meale:
There has been no such assessment. The road safety of professional drivers is comprehensively covered by road traffic and other relevant legislation.
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to promote management by employers of occupational road risk; and if he will make a statement. [64706]
Mr. Meale:
The Government believe that employers should foster working practices which encourage responsible driving. We have therefore supported the work of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, including the publication in 1998 of "Managing Occupational Road Risk", to help organisations develop an effective management approach to road safety.
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to the Health and Safety Commission about managing the risks to which employees and other road users are exposed when vehicles are driven on the road for work purposes. [64705]
Mr. Meale:
I have not made any such representations to the Health and Safety Commission.
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce regulations to reduce the risk of road accidents involving vehicles which are driven for work purposes. [64702]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
There are no plans to introduce regulations specifically to reduce the risk of road accidents involving vehicles driven for work purposes. Existing legislation (the Road Traffic Act 1988, related Acts, and associated regulations) already govern driving behaviour.
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the proportion of fatal and serious injuries which occurred in road traffic accidents involving one or more vehicles being driven for work purposes. [64701]
Mr. Meale:
I have made no such estimate. This information is not collected by the Police. There is no requirement to report traffic accidents involving work-related journeys to the health and safety enforcing authorities under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995.
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the system of enforcement of safety regulations relating to the safer system of work for professional drivers. [64704]
Mr. Meale:
There has been no such assessment because the road safety of professional drivers is comprehensively covered by road traffic and other
11 Jan 1999 : Column: 49
relevant legislation, where HSE has no enforcement role other than where the carriage of dangerous goods is concerned.
Ann Clwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of health hazards on long-haul flights; and if he will make a statement. [64744]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
There is no evidence to suggest that long-haul travel poses particular health hazards for most passengers. However, elderly passengers and those with an existing medical condition may be vulnerable to the environmental and physiological stresses of flight and should seek appropriate advice from both the airline and their general practitioner before flying.
Mr. Coaker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the forthcoming financial management and policy review of Groundwork. [65312]
Mr. Meale:
As part of the Government's programme of regular five-yearly financial, management and policy reviews of non-departmental public bodies, my Department will conduct a thorough review of Groundwork beginning on Tuesday 12 January. The first stage of the review will take the form of a "prior options" study. This will assess the extent to which Groundwork's functions are necessary for the achievement of the Department's policies, and whether there is scope for changing the relationship between the Department and Groundwork to reflect more appropriately the Department's policies for promoting environmental regeneration.
The progress made by Groundwork since the previous review in 1994 will be examined and the results of that examination and of the prior options study will inform a detailed review of the possible mechanisms for funding Groundwork's outputs and, if appropriate, Groundwork's policy and financial management systems.
In carrying out the study, my Department will consult widely with those organisations with an interest in Groundwork's activities. I aim to ensure that any uncertainty caused by the review is kept to a minimum and I therefore expect the FMPR Advisory Group to report by early summer 1999.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what targets the Government have set for glass recycling; what progress has been made in achieving them; what is the recent trend in the proportion of glass being recycled; and if he will make a statement. [64978]
Mr. Meale:
In the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997, there are targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. Currently, businesses obligated under the Regulations must each achieve a minimum recycling target of 7 per cent. per material, including glass.
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The recycling rate for glass packaging presently stands at 22 per cent. Although there is no target for the recycling of all glass, ie container and flatglass, present rates stand at 26 per cent.
Recycling rates for all glass have remained fairly constant since 1995. The capacity is available to increase these recycling rates further.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1998, Official Report, columns 535, on London Transport, if he will list the contribution to the cost of the Jubilee Line Extension from (a) the private sector and (b) London Transport; and when London Transport expects to complete the cost review of the rephased programme. [64952]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
As stated in my reply of 16 December 1998, Official Report, columns 535-36, some £2 billion of the total cost of the Jubilee Line Extension is being directly funded by Government grant.
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