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Rail Crossing, Rovie
Mr. Maclennan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the safety of the rail crossing at Rovie, Rogart, Sutherland; and what response he has made. [89088]
Mrs. Liddell: The Secretary of State has recently received an application from Railtrack for an Order under the Level Crossing Act 1983 to authorise the most appropriate safety measures for the level crossing at Rovie. Railtrack has written to the Highland Council giving them two months to make any representations on Railtrack's proposals to the Secretary of State. My Department has also received a copy of a letter written by the Highland Councillor for the area to the Secretary of State for Scotland commenting on safety at this level crossing. In deciding the most appropriate safety measures for this crossing the Secretary of State will also take advice from the Health and Safety Executive.
Household Projections (Hampshire)
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 1999, Official Report, column 26, on new households in Hampshire, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of projected households since the 1992-based household projection. [89255]
Mr. Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Sawford) on 29 March 1999, Official Report, columns 470-74.
Health and Safety Appraisal
Mr. Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the strategic appraisal of Health and Safety which he announced on 30 March. [89575]
Mr. Meacher: I will be launching a public consultation document entitled "Revitalising Health and Safety" tomorrow, jointly with the Health and Safety Commission. Copies will be placed in the House Libraries. This is an important initiative aimed at injecting new impetus into the health and safety agenda. Everyone concerned with health and safety is encouraged to respond to this consultation.
Driving Tests
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the Driving Standards Agency's written submission to the Minister recommending the closure of
30 Jun 1999 : Column: 172
a Driving Test Centre is not made publicly available; and if he will make it his policy to publish such submissions in future. [86257]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The reasons why a test centre might be closed are put into the public domain as part of public consultation about the issue. To protect the integrity of decision-making, we have no plans to publish policy advice from officials to Ministers. This is in accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, exemption number 2--internal discussions and advice.
Mr. Kidney:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what organisations have been or will be invited to take part in the speed policy review; and what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure maximum involvement by professional organisations in the speed policy review process. [86349]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The full list of those who will be invited to take part has yet to be finalised, but it will include professional organisations suggested by the relevant divisions in DETR and other Government Departments.
Officials have already met the Automobile Association, Royal Automobile Club, County Surveyors' Society, Association of Chief Police Officers, the groups represented by the Slower Speeds Initiative.
Mr. Kidney:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make available a speed policy document for consultation. [86350]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
It is proposed to have a consultation document available for consideration towards the end of July.
Mr. Kidney:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the speed policy review announced in the white paper, A New Deal For Transport. [86348]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave our hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Bradley) on 9 June 1999, Official Report, columns 319-20.
Mr. Dafis:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average annual mileage travelled per road vehicle (a) in the latest year for which figures are available, and (b) (i) five years, (ii) 10 years and (iii) 20 years before that year. [87013]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The figures are given in the table. The earliest date from which figures for vehicle numbers by body type is available is 1982.
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| Year | Cars and taxis | Motor-cycles, etc | Buses and coaches | Light vans | Goods vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 14 | 4 | 49 | 18 | 32 |
| 1988 | 16 | 4 | 57 | 20 | 41 |
| 1993 | 15 | 4 | 62 | 20 | 43 |
| 1998 | 16 | 3 | 63 | 23 | 48 |
Traffic estimates are based on observations of traffic flows, matched with road length figures. Vehicle licence data are provided by DVLA.
Average mileage for each type of vehicle is derived by dividing the total annual mileage by the estimated number of vehicles of that type.
Fuel Tax Escalator
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the environmental effects of the fuel tax escalator; and if he will make a statement. [87570]
Ms Glenda Jackson: The Government regularly undertake assessments of the environmental impact of the fuel duty escalator, to inform the development of transport and environment policies. The latest estimate of the carbon savings from the escalator, published in the consultation document for the UK Climate Change Programme, stated that the escalator between 1996 and 2002 is expected to save 2-5 million tonnes of carbon in 2010. The impact of the escalator on air quality is also kept under review.
Mother Teresa's Funeral
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people travelled with him to Mother Teresa's funeral, excluding members of the Royal Family and their private staff. [88100]
Mr. Prescott: I represented my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister at Mother Teresa's funeral, and was accompanied by two members of my staff. Because of the short notice available to make the arrangements, and the unavailability of scheduled flights, it was necessary to charter an aircraft for the journey to Calcutta. In order to ensure best value for money the flight was shared with five members of the Royal party.
Wal-Mart
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of Wal-Mart; and what were the main subjects of discussion. [88099]
Mr. Caborn: Neither I nor any other Minister in the Department have met representatives of Wal-Mart.
GM Organisms
Mr. Alan Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to use his power under Part VI of the Environmental
30 Jun 1999 : Column: 174
Protection Act 1990 to vary existing genetically modified marketing consents issued thereunder to include a condition requiring post-release monitoring. [88159]
Mr. Meacher:
There are no plans to vary existing consents issued in compliance with Part C of Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Once a GM crop has Part C (marketing) consent under the Directive it applies across all member states. Individual member states cannot vary a consent unilaterally. Under the new arrangements agreed in the Environment Ministers' Council last December, all new applications for part C consent will have to include plans for post market monitoring. Government and industry, through SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative for Modified Agricultural Crops), have a voluntary agreement that for consents already granted or currently under consideration crops will be grown and managed in accordance with the SCIMAC Guidelines which include post-release monitoring.
Mr. Woodward:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies into passenger levels on the London Underground have been commissioned by his Department since 1 May 1997. [88431]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
London Underground makes studies of both existing and future passenger demand on a regular basis. The results of these studies are reported to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
Mr. Woodward:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies have been carried out into the practical effects of the closure of the London Underground Circle Line between Gloucester Road and High Street Kensington stations from 12 June to 15 August. [88430]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Before engineering works began between Gloucester Road and High Street Kensington, London Underground made a full Hazard and Operability study into the line closure and the proposed changes to train and station operations. This study forecast the impact on passenger flows across London's public transport system and also assessed the probable effect on congestion levels and waiting times.
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