House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 1 Mar 1999 (pt 6)

Structure Plan (Hampshire)

Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from Eagle Star in relation to the structure plan for Hampshire. [73181]

Mr. Raynsford: Following publication of the Hampshire Structure Plan Examination in Public panel report in May 1997, Eagle Star forwarded to the Secretary of State in October 1997 a copy of the Company's response to Hampshire County Council Conservative Group's press release on the structure plan. In October 1998 the Secretary of State received two representations from Eagle Star asking him to intervene in the Hampshire Structure Plan.

Number Plates

Mr. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require motor vehicle registration number plates to comply with the laid-down specification. [73255]

Ms Glenda Jackson: Enforcement is a matter for the police. We are, however, planning to introduce new regulations, later this year, on the display of number plates which will facilitate enforcement and should reduce abuse. From 1 March this year, motorists who mis-represent their vehicle registration marks may also have them withdrawn.

London Regional Transport

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last advertised posts of (a) Chairman, (b) Vice-Chairman, (c) Executive members and (d) non-executive members of the Board of London Regional Transport. [73506]

Ms Glenda Jackson: The information requested is set out:

Chairman

It is not common practice for posts at Chairman level to be advertised. PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed last spring to assist us in the search for a new Chairman.

Vice-Chairman

It has been the practice to appoint the Vice-Chairman from within the existing Board, rather than through external advertising. This appointment is made by the LT Board itself, not by the Secretary of State.

1 Mar 1999 : Column: 517

Executive Members

The post of Managing Director of London Underground Limited was advertised last July.

Non-Executive Members

It has been the practice to appoint non-executives from recruitment searches, or from names supplied by the Public Appointments Unit (PAU). Those appearing on the PAU's list are largely self-nominated.

1 Mar 1999 : Column: 518

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the current members of the Board of London Regional Transport, (b) the dates on which they were first appointed and (c) their (i) qualifications and (ii) experience. [73510]

Ms Glenda Jackson: The information requested is set out.

1 Mar 1999 : Column: 517

Member First appointed to Board Qualifications and Experience

Chairman: Sir Malcolm Bates 11 February 1999 Sir Malcolm is Chairman of the Pearl Group and Premier Farnell plc. Until Easter 1997 he was also Deputy Managing Director of GEC plc, and Joint Managing Director of Wm. Brandt & Sons. He is also a member of the Industrial Development Advisory Board, has chaired the Government's Engineering Deregulation Task Force, and was a member of the Treasury's Private Finance Panel.

Chief Executive: Denis Tunnicliffe 1 November 1993 Mr. Tunnicliffe joined London Transport as Managing Director of London Underground in 1988, and became a full Board member in 1993. This led to his becoming Chief Executive last May. Prior to joining London Transport, Mr. Tunnicliffe worked for British Airways, and subsequently the International Leisure Group.

Managing Director, London Underground: Derek Smith 1 February 1999 Mr. Smith worked in NHS management prior to joining the LT Board. He has experience of running a large organisation through a period of change, and has experience of dealing with Private Finance programmes.

Managing Director, London Transport Buses: Clive Hodson 1 August 1995 Mr. Hodson became Managing Director of London Buses Ltd. in 1989. His performance there, and his stewardship of the privatisation of the LBL subsidiaries led to his joining the LT board in 1995 as MD of London Transport Buses.

Non-executive Vice-Chairman: Brian Appleton 1 September 1995 Mr. Appleton is a former Director of ICI and Polymers, and assessor to the Piper Alpha Inquiry. In 1992 he carried out a study for the HSE of the extent to which London Underground had achieved the right balance in responding to fire and bomb threats. He advises LT on safety matters.

Non-executive: Michael Lawrence 29 June 1994 Mr. Lawrence was formerly Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange. His previous experience included being a partner in Price Waterhouse, Group Finance Director for the Prudential Corporation, non-executive Director of the Port of London Authority, and Chairman of the Hundred Group of Finance Directors. He is Chairman of the Financial Audit Committee at LT.

Non-executive: Sally O'Sullivan 1 August 1995 Ms O'Sullivan's background is in publishing. She is also a member of the Broadcasting Standards Council, and of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. She focuses on consumer issues at LT.

Non-executive: Sir Alan Bailey 1 December 1991 Sir Alan was formerly a Permanent Secretary at the Department of Transport, and formerly worked within the Treasury, Civil Service Department and Cabinet Office. He is Vice-Chairman of London Transport Buses.

Member	First appointed to Board	Qualifications and Experience
Chairman: Sir Malcolm Bates	11 February 1999	Sir Malcolm is Chairman of the Pearl Group and Premier Farnell plc. Until Easter 1997 he was also Deputy Managing Director of GEC plc, and Joint Managing Director of Wm. Brandt & Sons. He is also a member of the Industrial Development Advisory Board, has chaired the Government's Engineering Deregulation Task Force, and was a member of the Treasury's Private Finance Panel.
Chief Executive: Denis Tunnicliffe	1 November 1993	Mr. Tunnicliffe joined London Transport as Managing Director of London Underground in 1988, and became a full Board member in 1993. This led to his becoming Chief Executive last May. Prior to joining London Transport, Mr. Tunnicliffe worked for British Airways, and subsequently the International Leisure Group.
Managing Director, London Underground: Derek Smith	1 February 1999	Mr. Smith worked in NHS management prior to joining the LT Board. He has experience of running a large organisation through a period of change, and has experience of dealing with Private Finance programmes.
Managing Director, London Transport Buses: Clive Hodson	1 August 1995	Mr. Hodson became Managing Director of London Buses Ltd. in 1989. His performance there, and his stewardship of the privatisation of the LBL subsidiaries led to his joining the LT board in 1995 as MD of London Transport Buses.
Non-executive Vice-Chairman: Brian Appleton	1 September 1995	Mr. Appleton is a former Director of ICI and Polymers, and assessor to the Piper Alpha Inquiry. In 1992 he carried out a study for the HSE of the extent to which London Underground had achieved the right balance in responding to fire and bomb threats. He advises LT on safety matters.
Non-executive: Michael Lawrence	29 June 1994	Mr. Lawrence was formerly Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange. His previous experience included being a partner in Price Waterhouse, Group Finance Director for the Prudential Corporation, non-executive Director of the Port of London Authority, and Chairman of the Hundred Group of Finance Directors. He is Chairman of the Financial Audit Committee at LT.
Non-executive: Sally O'Sullivan	1 August 1995	Ms O'Sullivan's background is in publishing. She is also a member of the Broadcasting Standards Council, and of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. She focuses on consumer issues at LT.
Non-executive: Sir Alan Bailey	1 December 1991	Sir Alan was formerly a Permanent Secretary at the Department of Transport, and formerly worked within the Treasury, Civil Service Department and Cabinet Office. He is Vice-Chairman of London Transport Buses.

1 Mar 1999 : Column: 517

Air Miles

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many Air Miles have been earned by him and each of his Ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73336]

Mr. Prescott: The Government's policy on the use and disposal of air miles was set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12 January 1999, Official Report, column 141.

Detailed information on any air miles earned by Ministers as a result of office travel is not recorded centrally.

Zimbabwe

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what official visits he, his Ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73462]

Mr. Prescott: There have been no official visits by DETR Ministers to Zimbabwe since May 1997.

1 Mar 1999 : Column: 518

There has been one official visit on 27-30 January 1998 when a senior Departmental official represented DETR at an International Workshop on Strategic Approaches to Freshwater Management. The event was attended by some 80 countries, together with NGOs, industry and International agencies. This event was hosted by the Zimbabwe Government with EC support, and helped pave the way for the Commission for Sustainable Development's Sixth meeting at which a formal Decision on Strategic Approaches to Freshwater Management was adopted by CSD, and later endorsed by UNGASS.

Zoos

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what criteria are used in assessing the suitability of people to be appointed to Government Zoo Inspectors' List A and Government Zoo Inspectors List B; [73725]

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Mr. Meale [holding answer 26 February 1999]: The requirements for selecting zoo inspectors are set out under Section 8 of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. The list of inspectors is compiled after consultation with the British Veterinary Association, the Federation of Zoological Gardens and other bodies. The list consists of two parts: the first part contains the names of veterinary surgeons and practitioners who have experience of animals of the kinds that are or may be kept in zoos; the second part contains the names of other persons who are in the Secretary of State's opinion competent to inspect animals in zoos, to advise on keeping them and on their welfare, and to advise on the management of zoos generally. The Secretary of State may, after the required consultation, vary the list of inspectors by adding or deleting names.

Following the Government's review last year of the operation of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 we plan to revise and update the current list of zoo inspectors. A new advisory body, the Zoos Forum, which we will be establishing shortly will also have an important part to play in reviewing the current list of inspectors and advising on further nominations for appointment.

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what standards his Department uses to determine whether a (a) circus and (b) zoo elephant has been excessively shackled; and if he will make a statement; [73727]

Mr. Meale [holding answer 26 February 1999]: All zoos in Great Britain are required to comply with the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice issued by the Secretary of State under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. The Standards do not at present specifically cover shackling. We announced a package of proposals in September last year to modernise the British zoo licensing system, and this included a review of the Standards, which is currently under way.

Local authorities are responsible for the issuing of licences and other executive functions under the Act. In considering whether to issue a new or renewed licence under the Act, local authorities may attach any conditions or recommendations which they consider necessary or desirable, having regard to the Standards. Local authorities may also refuse to grant a licence, or to revoke an existing licence, if a zoo is not meeting required standards. The Act provides for inspections of zoos by teams of experts to ensure that the arrangements for accommodation, staffing or management are adequate for the proper care and well being of zoo animals.

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has the lead responsibility in Government for the regulation of circuses.

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