| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
London Underground (Safety)
Mr. Jenkin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library weekly reports on signals passed at danger on the London Underground. [97085]
11 Nov 1999 : Column: 688
Mr. Hill
[holding answer 2 November 1999]: Safety is, and must remain, at the heart of London Underground Ltd.'s (LUL) operations. LUL continuously monitors safety performance, including signals passed at danger (SPADs) and reports such incidents to HMRI.
The hon. Member will wish to be aware that all LUL trains have a form of Automatic Train Protection (ATP) which has been in operation for many years. Although SPADs do occur on the Underground, trains are brought to a safe halt because of the ATP system.
I will arrange for LUL to place in the Commons Library a monthly report on SPADs on the Underground.
Mr. Bob Russell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of (a) deaths and (b) injuries attributable to accidents involving drivers using mobile telephones. [97573]
Mr. Hill:
There is international research which has found that the distraction may impact on safety. We therefore strongly discourage the use of mobile phones while driving. However, on the basis of current UK data it is not possible to estimate the number of deaths and injuries attributable solely to the use of mobile phones while driving.
Mr. Waterson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make Part M of the Building Regulations more accessible to people with a disability. [97368]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
The Approved Document for Part M of the Building Regulations is published by The Stationary Office. My Department had already drawn their attention to the need to make this publication accessible to people with disabilities. They are endeavouring to obtain the source material in alternative formats to meet the needs of disabled people.
Mr. Pike:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the average waiting time is for (a) a driving test and (b) a driving retest; what the average waiting times were five years ago; and if he will make a statement. [97700]
Mr. Hill:
In measuring waiting times for a driving test, the Driving Standards Agency does not differentiate between those who are presenting themselves for their first test or for a further attempt. Driving tests can now be obtained nationally in around 6 weeks. This compares with an annual national average waiting time of 6.6 weeks for the year 1994-95.
Mr. Jenkin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to announce the allocation for provisional local transport plans for 2000-01; and if he will make a statement. [97710]
11 Nov 1999 : Column: 689
Mr. Hill
[holding answer 8 November 1999]: We are currently assessing the provisional local transport plans submitted in July. The local transport capital settlement will be announced in December.
Mr. Jenkin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 1999, Official Report, column 85, concerning major road schemes, if he will estimate the capital cost of each of the schemes listed and provide a total figure. [97709]
Mr. Hill
[holding answer 8 November 1999]: Based on the finance forms contained within the provisional local transport plans, the total gross capital cost of the schemes is £812.4 million.
Mr. Jenkin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the total amounts of the bids made by local authorities in their provisional local transport plans for the years 2000-01 and 2001-02 for projected local transport capital expenditure on (a) maintenance of principal highways, (b) maintenance, assessment and strengthening of bridges, (c) individual schemes costing more than £5 million and (d) individual schemes and groups of related schemes costing less than £5 million; and if he will list the total cash bid for each authority for each year. [97703]
Mr. Hill
[holding answer 8 November 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 2 November 1999, Official Report, column 84. The total cash bid for each authority for each year may be derived from the information already in the House of Commons Library.
Mr. Pike:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what schemes his Department operates to assist pensioners to install smoke alarms in their homes; and if he will make a statement. [97963]
Mr. Meacher:
This Department does not currently operate specific programmes for the installation of smoke alarms. However the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) will include the provision of a smoke alarm in the homes of low-income over-60s households where a central heating system is installed. The installations will begin in June 2000 and it is expected that about 55,000 central heating systems will be installed by 2002.
11 Nov 1999 : Column: 690
Part I of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 also allows for local authorities to provide grants towards the cost of fire precaution works. Home repair assistance may be available to people who are elderly, disabled, infirm or in receipt of income related benefit for works of up to £2,000.
Since 1992, Building Regulations have required all new dwellings in England and Wales to have a smoke alarm installed. This move, together with the Government's wider publicity and educational efforts, has helped to raise smoke alarm ownership to the current level of 82 per cent. of all households.
Jackie Ballard:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the First Aid at Work Regulations with particular regard to the use and administration of medication for sufferers of (a) anaphylaxis, (b) diabetes and (c) other medical conditions. [97805]
Mr. Meacher:
We have no plans to review the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 specifically in respect of the use and administration of medication for sufferers of (a) anaphylaxis, (b) diabetes and (c) other medical conditions.
However, the Health and Safety Executive will shortly be commencing a general review and evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of the Regulations.
Caroline Flint:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the daily volume of traffic on the M18; what is the capacity of the motorway; and what is the projected traffic volume for 2000, 2005 and 2010. [98026]
Mr. Hill
[holding answer 10 November 1999]: As this is an operational matter for the Highways Agency, I have asked the Chief Executive, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Caroline Flint, dated 11 November 1999:
11 Nov 1999 : Column: 689
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question. You asked "What is the daily volume of traffic on the M18; what is the capacity of the motorway, and what is the projected traffic volume for 2000, 2005 and 2010".
The attached table shows the Daily Traffic Volumes, the Motorway Capacity and the projected traffic volumes for the years 2000, 2005 and 2010.
I trust the information meets your requirements.
(13) Peak hour capacity assumes 2,300 vehicles per lane per hour based on the design capacity
(14) The design capacity of the road is based on the bendiness, the gradient and the intended speed of cars with safe gaps between them
(15) Assumes National Road Traffic Forecast 1997 rural motorways growth factors
11 Nov 1999 : Column: 691
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |