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Roads Review
Mr. Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the (a) new roads and (b) road improvement projects which were announced in the roads review for which the statutory undertaker plans to apply for funding support from the EU. [65479]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The bids put forward by the Highways Agency for funding in 1999 relate to route management strategies and telematics projects. The European Commission is considering these at present.
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New roads and road improvement projects announced in the Roads Review will be considered, when appropriate, for bids in future years.
Mr. Pike:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has undertaken on the effects of traffic-calming methods on (a) emergency vehicles and (b) public transport vehicles, with particular reference to low-deck vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [65675]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
All research commissioned by my Department into the design and performance of traffic calming measures has included an examination of the effects such measures will have on emergency vehicles and public transport. This research has included three track trials by the Transport Research Laboratory of road humps and chicanes where passenger comfort, operating speeds and performance of vehicles have been examined. Single deck 'low floor' buses have been included in the most recent track trial. No difficulties were experienced in negotiating the different types of 75mm high road humps comprising the trial for speeds up to 25 mph. Operationally, much lower speeds would be recommended to avoid discomfort to passengers.
Mr. Waterson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to apprehend and punish ships making illegal discharges of oil off the British coast; and if he will make a statement. [65571]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has a dedicated Enforcement Unit based at its headquarters in Southampton.
The Unit is charged to investigate all offences under the Merchant Shipping legislation and this includes pollution offences. In less than 11 months since the formation of this Unit, 7 shipowners have been convicted for pollution offences.
The UK and its European partners co-ordinate surveillance and detection of suspected polluters using sophisticated technology. Under the UK Regulations, ships suspected of pollution can be detained in port pending investigation.
Since September 1997, the maximum fine before Magistrates for pollution from ships was raised to £250,000. The maximum fine before the Crown Court is unlimited.
The MCA is committed to vigorously enforcing the anti-pollution legislation and will not hesitate to prosecute offenders whenever appropriate.
Mr. Brake:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy that it be a requirement of all industry standards and the Building Regulations that sewerage and drainage pipes should not be split or otherwise damaged as the result of cleaning activities. [65888]
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Mr. Raynsford:
The development of standards for construction products, including drainage pipes, is a matter for the British Standards Institution in co-operation with European standards bodies. More detailed specifications for sewerage pipes are developed by the water industry, as was indicated in an answer on 7 July 1998, Official Report, columns 480-81, to a Written Question from the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant). These standards are not formally endorsed by my Department and are thus not subject to Government policy.
Regulation 7 of the Building Regulations requires that building work which is subject to the Regulations should be carried out using proper materials which are appropriate for the circumstances in which they are used. As the blockage of a drain or sewer can be anticipated at some time during their lifetime, it is not unreasonable to expect the pipe to be able to withstand normal cleaning activities.
Mr. Brake:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will raise the standards for pipes used for underground drainage in the review of Part H of the Building Regulations to ensure they are not vulnerable to damage from (a) conventional rodding and (b) high pressure jetting. [65890]
Mr. Raynsford:
The current review of Part H of the Building Regulations will consider the need for advice to ensure that pipes used for underground drainage are not vulnerable to damage during cleaning operations.
The Building Regulations are functional in nature, and do not specify standards for building materials. However, the Approved Document to Part H, which gives guidance on ways in which to achieve compliance with the Regulations, makes reference to British Standards saying any material conforming to the Standards listed may be used for below ground drainage. At this early stage in the review it cannot be said whether or not the listing will need to be amended.
Mr. Brake:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the review of Part H of the Building Regulations will be concluded. [65889]
Mr. Raynsford:
The review of Part H of the Building Regulations commenced last year with the preparation of outline proposals for issues which need to be addressed in the review. These proposals will be considered by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) at their next meeting in February following which officials in my Department will prepare detailed proposals for their consideration later in the year.
Proposals for amendments will subsequently be subject to full consultation as required by Section 14 of the Building Act 1984. The papers for this should be ready towards the end of this year, and the subsequent period of consultation will be 3 months. The proposals will be re-considered by BRAC in the light of comments made during consultation and, if found necessary, amendments will be made to the Approved Document to Part H and, possibly, the Building Regulations. The review should thus be complete by the end of next year.
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Mr. Gummer:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans to reduce UK emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 per cent. on 1990's total by the year 2010. [66041]
Mr. Meale:
On 26 October 1998, the Government published a consultation paper on climate change. The paper describes progress to date in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the UK and sets out a variety of policy options for meeting our climate change targets. It covers both the UK's legally binding target from Kyoto of a 12.5 per cent. reduction in a basket of six greenhouse gases by 2008-2012 and our domestic goal of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010. Following the consultation period which closes on 12 February 1999, we will develop and consult further on a new UK climate change programme.
Mr. Bob Russell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has following the case in the Queen's Bench Division between L. Benson and Copeland Borough Council to seek to restore the previous position whereby the spouse of a licence holder could use a private hire vehicle for any purpose other than for hire. [65872]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Government consulted on options for broadening eligibility to drive licensed private hire vehicles; we are still considering the representations made and the legal issues involved. I hope to make an announcement shortly.
Mr. Andy King:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a national compulsory dog registration scheme. [65875]
Mr. Meale:
My Department is holding discussions with a number of animal welfare organisations on the issues surrounding dog registration. A decision on the appropriate way forward will be taken in due course.
Mr. Bob Russell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by each police authority area how many people were killed in road accidents between Christmas and the New Year in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [65874]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The information requested is shown in the following table for the three years to 1997, the most recent year for which this information is available.
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