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London Air Traffic Control Centre
Mr. Brake:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish overload statistics for LATCC for each of the last 36 months. [93538]
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Ms Glenda Jackson:
The details as recorded by the Civil Aviation Authorities Safety Regulation Group are:
| Date | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -- | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| February | -- | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| March | -- | 0 | 8 | 4 |
| April | -- | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| May | -- | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| June | -- | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| July | 1 | 1 | 9 | (41)8 |
| August | 3 | 1 | 3 | -- |
| September | 0 | 3 | 8 | -- |
| October | 2 | 2 | 6 | -- |
| November | 2 | 0 | 3 | -- |
| December | 2 | 0 | 2 | -- |
(41) To 25 June
Overload reports record that more aircraft, in the controller's subjective opinion, are entering a sector than expected. There is rarely a loss of separation between aircraft during a reported overload, with only four occasions where a loss of separation was associated with an overload event since 1996.
Despite a reduction in the number of airproxes recorded in 1998, there was a noticeable increase in the number of overloads reported by controllers at London Air Traffic Control Centre. This was partly due to management encouraging staff to report such incidents so remedial action can be taken.All reports of overload incidents are investigated thoroughly by the Civil Aviation Authority and, wherever possible, action is taken to ensure that the lessons learned are implemented.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's estimate of the total number of employees that are entitled to an eye test provided by their employer under the Health and Safety (Display Screens Equipment) Regulations 1992. [93311]
Mr. Meale:
A survey was conducted in 1995 on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive to evaluate the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. The researchers estimated that about 5.5 million employees in Great Britain were entitled under the Regulations to an eye and eyesight test, to be provided by their employer at the employee's request.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) to what extent changes in costs of mileage allowances arising from the transfer of Government offices are treated as a factor in the taking of decisions on such transfers; [93230]
Mr. Meale:
Under the terms of their Financial Memorandum the Regional Development Agencies are responsible for decisions about their location.
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They are required to carry out a full evaluation of the costs and benefits of any material changes in their accommodation requirements. That evaluation should take account of any significant effect on mileage allowances paid to staff alongside other factors.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the experience and qualifications of Dr. Joan Firth are to carry out the role of independent assessor in the appointment of the Board of the North West Regional Development Agency. [93232]
Mr. Meale:
Dr. Joan Firth, a former Grade 3, Deputy Director of Finance, in the Department of Health, was acting chair of Bradford NHS Trust at the time she acted as independent assessor in the appointment of the Board of the North West Regional Development Agency. She had had recent experience of appointing NHS Board Members in the North East.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if officers of the North West Regional Development Agency have discussed with board member the merit of projects and bids supported by that Agency where a board member has had what subsequently turned out to be a conflict of interest. [93446]
Mr. Meale:
There is no record of any such discussions taking place.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many premises are owned by the North West Regional Development Agency on the Lakeland Business Park at Cockermouth; what is the total rent received per annum; and what is the total square footage. [93224]
Mr. Meale:
There are seven premises (blocks) which are sub-divided into units and let to the list of tenants which is given in another answer to my hon. Friend today at columns 342-44.
(2) what powers he has to ensure full evaluations take place of the cost implications of the movement of offices by the North West Regional Development Agency. [93231]
| Area (sq. ft.) | Rent (principal) (£) | |
|---|---|---|
| Block 1 | 5,135 | NWDA |
| Block 2 | 4,459 | 20,025 |
| Block 3 | 5,630 | 22,750 |
| Block 4 | 4,816 | 19,521 |
| Block 5 | 4,769 | 20,111 |
| Block 6 | 4,885 | 9,616 |
| Block 7 | 7,946 | 51,451 |
| Total | 37,640 | 143,474 |
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if, in the consideration of business by the North West Regional Development Agency, members of the board decided for themselves whether a conflict of interest exists. [93444]
Mr. Meale:
In accordance with the North West Development Regional Agency Standing Orders, Board Members determine if they have an interest in any particular matter and declare it accordingly.
27 Jul 1999 : Column: 342
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the North West Regional Development Agency is supporting commercial developments in the North West of England which are in any way linked to the business interests of members of the North West Development Agency; and what is the value in pounds sterling of the support being provided in each case. [93442]
Mr. Meale:
The North West Regional Development Agency inherited from English Partnerships a project under which Westmorland Motorway Services Limited are receiving a grant of £947,920 towards the Hills of the North Project.
Mr. John Dunning is the member with business interest linked to this project.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if, in the consideration of the SRB bids, any members of the board of the North West Regional Development Agency were required or offered to stand aside on the basis of conflict of interest. [93443]
Mr. Meale:
When the North West Regional Development Board was discussing the proposed SRB bids, Members with an interest in any particular bid left the meeting prior to it being discussed. Each Board meeting agenda contains a reminder to this effect.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the register of interests applicable in the case of the North West Regional Development Agency. [93228]
Mr. Meale:
The Register of Members Interests is available for inspection at the Headquarters in Warrington and will be published in the North West Regional Development Agency's Annual Report.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many visits overseas have been made by officers of the North West Regional Development Agency since the establishment of the Agency; to which countries; and at what cost to the taxpayer. [93227]
Mr. Meale:
Since 1 April 1999 there have been 10 overseas visits made by officers of the North West Regional Development Agency. The countries visited were: Belgium, Japan, Ireland, Austria, Germany, France, U.S.A. The cost of these visits totals £4,381.50.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will permit access by hon. Members to the data held by the Government Office of the North-West relating to nomination to the Board of the North West Regional Development Agency; [93229]
Mr. Meale:
Details of the appointees to the North West Regional Development Agency were made public in the press notice at the time of their appointment, in line with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments', in line with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments' guidelines. However, under exemption 8b (Public Employments,
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Public Appointments and Honours) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, details of the other candidates cannot be released for reasons of confidentiality. This also applies to the details of those nominated by outside bodies.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many visits overseas have been made by board members of the North West Regional Development Agency since the establishment of the Agency; to which countries; and at what cost to the taxpayer. [93226]
Mr. Meale:
The Chairman of the Board has made two overseas visits. They were to Japan (cost £3,573) and Brussels (£639).
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what dates since the appointment of officers to the Shadow North West Regional Development Agency and since the formal establishment of the North West Regional Development Agency, officers of the Agency have met members of Cumbria Tourist Board. [93445]
Mr. Meale:
Since the North West Regional Development Agency was established in December 1998 there have been no formal meetings between officers of the Agency and members of the Cumbria Tourist Board in their capacity as members of the Board.
(2) if he will list the persons Dr. Joan Firth interviewed for possible appointment to the Board of the North West Regional Development Agency. [93233]
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