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Roadworks Management
Mr. Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to consult on proposals to improve roadworks management standards. [91498]
Ms Glenda Jackson: In last year's Integrated Transport White Paper a commitment was made to consult on options for an incentive system, with penalties, to minimise disruption to road users, and to encourage improved co-ordination of street works. This commitment was re-affirmed by the then Minister for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid), during the debate on roads policy on 18 March 1999, Official Report, column 1333, and the Government will be going to consultation soon.
Gender Impact Assessment
Jackie Ballard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [91684]
Mr. Meale: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health on 22 July 1999, Official Report, column 636.
As part of the Government's commitment to ensuring that their policies are relevant to the lives that people live today, my Department is working closely with the Women's Unit to develop good practices for carrying out gender impact appraisal.
In May 1998, my Department relaunched its policy appraisal for equal treatment initiative. We are continuing to make use of consultations, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy on women.
In parallel, we are developing a gender audit checklist to help transport operators and planners better understand and meet women's public transport requirements. The checklist is currently being finalised. Similarly, in housing, the Department (in association with the Women's Unit and the Department of Health) have commissioned a comprehensive package of research on 'Accommodation and Support for Households Experiencing Domestic Violence'. This study will examine a range of women's experiences of the accommodation and support provided in response to their needs, including those women who are assisted under the homeless legislation.
Mr. Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the more effective use of the River Thames for commuters and freight. [92474]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Government are committed to realising the potential of the River Thames as a transport artery. Our Thames 2000 initiative aims to revitalise passenger transport on the River through a programme of new piers and services and the establishment of London River Services Ltd. as the River arm of London Transport. We are also looking to maintain
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and increase use of the River for transporting freight, including through planning policies and the award of freight facilities grants.
In connection with these and other initiatives, my Department is in regular contact with a wide range of people and organisations who wish to see fuller use of the Thames for passenger and freight transport.
Mr. Michael Jabez Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the Access to Hastings Study announced by his Department in July 1998; what the terms of reference are for (a) the study and (b) the steering group for the study; if the proposed steering group will have an agreed constitution or rules of operation; if the steering group will have autonomy in controlling the study, and what reserve powers his Department will have; if his Department will have a power of veto over the steering group's decisions; and what timetable is envisaged for completion of the report and his Department's decision upon it. [92294]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Progress is being made on the "Access to Hastings Multi Modal Study". There have now been two Steering Group meetings and there will be a third meeting in August.
Draft terms of reference for the Study have not yet been formally agreed, the main aims of the terms of reference are to develop a sustainable and integrated strategy for the Hastings area to promote competitiveness and the achievement of regeneration objectives. The Study should recommend a plan and measures to address problems associated with the A21 and the A259 trunk roads. A multi modal approach will inform all stages of the Study to provide a strategy promoting a safe, efficient, accessible and sustainable transport system and to protect both the built and natural environment.
The Steering Group will operate in a manner that is consistent with the multi modal studies methodology. The Steering Group owns the multi modal Study and will steer and oversee the development, progress and satisfactory completion of the Access to Hastings Study. The Steering group will advise on consultants' recommendations which, subject to views of SERPLAN, will then be submitted to Ministers. We anticipate that the Study will be let to consultants in the Autumn of this year and will take 12-15 months to complete.
Mr. Michael Jabez Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what legal obstacles there are to visits by himself or his ministerial colleagues to Hastings to examine the adequacy of its roads infrastructure; [92293]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Pending the taking of final statutory decisions on the three A259 schemes near Hastings, that were the subject of the 1995-96 public inquiry, Ministers have to maintain a position of impartiality. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for myself or any ministerial colleagues to visit Hastings.
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Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 24 June 1999, Official Report, column 440, on what dates special advisers from his Department travelled to the United States of America on official business; and how many meetings each special adviser held with members and officials of the United States Government during each visit to the United States of America, indicating (a) the date and location of each meeting, (b) the names of the special advisers and members and officials of the United States Government at each meeting and (c) the name of the United States departments to which they belong. [92252]
Mr. Prescott:
Special advisers accompanied Ministers to the USA on official business on four occasions between 2 May 1997 and 31 March 1999. All Ministerial travel was accounted for in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry) on 17 June 1999, Official Report, columns 196-97.
Mr. Heseltine:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total cash value of council house sales has been since the date of the enactment of the Housing Act 1980. [92920]
Ms Armstrong:
Between April 1980 and December 1998, total capital receipts to local authorities in England arising from the sale of council homes for owner-occupation were estimated at £24.0 billion. The majority of the 1.560 million sales in this period were under the Right-to-Buy provisions of the Housing Act 1980, which came into effect in October 1980.
In the same period, it is estimated that local authorities had capital receipts of some £3 billion from over 310,000 other dwellings sales and transfers, including Large Scale Voluntary Transfers of housing stock, principally to Registered Social Landlords.
Mr. Ottaway:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed fare structure for Croydon Tramlink; and what is the proposed fare for a single journey from New Addington to Croydon Town Centre. [93185]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
This is a matter for London Transport and Tramtrack Croydon Ltd. I understand that the fare structure for Croydon Tramlink has not yet been decided.
Mr. Ottaway:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the passenger projections for Croydon Tramlink for the years 2000-02. [93184]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
This is a commercial matter for Tramtrack Croydon Ltd., the private sector consortium which holds the concession to build, operate and maintain Croydon Tramlink.
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Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, in respect of processes regulated under the Integrated Pollution Control Regulations, the number of (a) substantial air pollution incidents, (b) prosecutions resulting from air pollution incidents, (c) prohibition notices and (d) enforcement notices issued to prevent the risk of air pollution incidents in each Environment Agency region in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) 1997-98. [92922]
Mr. Meale:
I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter, together with any attachments, in the Library.
(2) if he or one of his ministerial colleagues responsible for roads will visit Hastings to examine the adequacy of its road infrastructure. [92292]
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