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Uganda
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department received from the Government of Uganda concerning travel advice between 1 January 1998 and 1 March 1999. [75487]
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to assist the Ugandan authorities in their investigation into the murders and kidnappings at Bwindi National Park. [75483]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: The Ugandan President has promised us a full report on this tragic incident. A British police team arrived in Uganda on 5 March to assist the Ugandan authorities with their investigation.
Nigeria
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the President-elect of Nigeria following his announcement of the intention to withdraw Nigeria's peace keeping troops from Sierra Leone. [75477]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will visit Nigeria on 8 and 9 March. In his discussions with President-elect Obasanjo, the Foreign Secretary will pay tribute to the efforts which Nigeria is making to help provide security in Sierra Leone; and will stress the support which Britain is giving to ECOMOG to help it consolidate the security situation.
Rotherham Euro Experiment
Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 192, on the Rotherham Euro Experiment, what role (a) ministers and (b) officials in his Department played in locating sponsors for the Rotherham Euro Experiment. [74491]
Ms Quin:
(a) None. (b) None.
8 Mar 1999 : Column: 5
Environment Council
Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the issues for discussion before the Environment Council of 11 and 12 March, indicating the position he proposes to take on each issue. [72738]
Mr. Meacher [holding answer 24 February 1999]: The following issues will be debated in Brussels on 11-12 March:
8 Mar 1999 : Column: 6
Mr. Love:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the (a) budgeted cost and (b) total final cost for the three contracts to extend the North Circular Road (A406) at the junction of Fore Street, N18 (A1010) extending eastwards to the boundary of the London Borough of Enfield; on what date each contract was to be completed and when they were actually completed; and if he will make a statement. [74202]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highway Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Andrew Love, dated 8 March 1999:
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Community strategy on climate change: Council conclusions.
Amended proposal for a Council Directive establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy: Common position.
Proposal for a Council Directive on end-of-life vehicles: Common position.
Community strategy to reduce CO 2 emissions from private cars--Commission negotiations with car manufacturers which are not members of ACEA: Council conclusions.
Proposal for a Council regulation allowing voluntary participation by organisations in a community eco-management and audit system: Policy debate.
Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 88/609/EEC, on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants: Policy debate.
Proposal for a Council Directive on the incineration of waste: Progress report.
It has not been the practice of successive Administrations to indicate the position Ministers propose to take in advance of Council.
The Minister for Transport in London, has asked Lawrie Haynes, the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, to reply to your recent parliamentary Question about the improvements to the A406 between Fore Street and Hall Lane. I am replying in Lawrie's absence from the office.
The information you asked for is in the attached table except for the information on the final cost of each of the three contracts. I am afraid it is not possible to provide this until the final accounts have been settled. I have therefore provided figures of the spend to date.
The delays in completing what were highly complex improvements to the A406, particularly at Fore Street, are regretted, but as you know, they were largely due to the contractors encountering unforeseen ground conditions. There were also difficulties installing the specialist mechanical and electrical equipment necessary for safety in the tunnel.
However, the improved road between Fore Street and Hall Lane now means that traffic on the A406 is able to run much more freely. It no longer has to compete with local traffic at the Fore Street, Angel Road and Lea Valley junctions, thus reducing congestion and delays to all road users. This coupled with the extensive landscaping we have carried out means that local people who live and work in the area can now enjoy a much safer, healthier and more attractive environment.
| Completion date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highway scheme | Planned completion | Actual completion | Original works budget £ million (1992) | Spend to date (million) |
| Contract A: Fore Street Underpass | 31 December 1997 | 4 December 1998 (Tunnel--16 July 1998) | 56.6 | 62.0 |
| Contract B: Angel Road Viaduct | 16 January 1996 | 28 November 1996 | 31.4 | 39.6 |
| Contract C: Lea Valley Viaduct | 14 November 1995 | 22 August 1996 | 32.7 | 39.4 |
| Total | 120.7 | 141.0 | ||
Notes:
1. All figures are exclusive of VAT
2. Figures include the cost of works, statutory undertakers, variations of price and contingencies. They exclude Traffic Control Systems Unit (TCSU), Preparation and Supervision (P & S) and Land costs.
8 Mar 1999 : Column: 5
Departmental Websites
Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the current running cost estimate of the Environmental Protection Agency website is projected to rise to £1,000,000 in the year 2000-01. [74007]
Mr. Meacher:
I am advised by the Environment Protection Agency that the estimated cost of running its website is projected to increase from £25,000 in 1998-99 to £100,000 in 2000-01. This estimate is based on current growth rates, comparisons with the US Environmental Protection Agency and costs of other internet services.
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The figure of £1,000,000+ is a rough and untested estimate of the cost in 2000-01 were the Agency to develop its information systems and businesses processes to provide a range of electronic services including electronic handling of 25% of licence applications and access to public registers. It is being considered alongside competing priorities but has not yet been subject to critical business assessment and does not feature in the Agency's current financial plans.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will deposit
8 Mar 1999 : Column: 7
in the Library a copy of the report of the April 1998 Conference organised at Brighton by the European Commission on the Regions. [74443]
Mr. Caborn:
I regret that the Department was unable to determine from the Question which conference the right hon. Member has in mind. If he would like to write with further details, I would be happy to consider his request further.
Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many supermarkets have been granted planning permission as a result of a planning inquiry or appeal since May 1997 on (i) out of town, (ii) green-field, (iii) town centre and (iv) brown-field sites. [74556]
Mr. Raynsford:
Since May 1997 planning permission has been granted, as a result of a planning inquiry or appeal, in respect of ten supermarkets. Of these, none were out-of-town or on green-field sites, six were in town or district centres and the remaining four were out-of- centre, but within the urban area on brown-field sites.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce his decision on the extent of the core trunk road network following consultation on his paper, "Roads Review: Implementation of Detrunking Proposals". [74720]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Responses from regional planning bodies, local authorities and others are being considered. We will announce a final decision on the extent of the core network as soon as possible.
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