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Human Rights and Disability

Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what response he has made to the National Disability Council's report on Human Rights and Disability. [120832]

Ms Hodge [holding answer 8 May 2000]: The report "The Impact of the Human Rights Act on Disabled People" was prepared for, and recently published by, the National Disability Council and The Royal National Institute for Deaf People. The NDC has sent copies to the Chairs of the Disability Rights Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission and to Northern Ireland's Equality Commission and Human Rights Commission and to a range of disability and other organisations, as a contribution to the debate on the human rights legislation.

It is an interesting report and we are considering how best to make use of the material that it contains.

Learning Accounts

Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will introduce the national arrangements for issuing individual learning accounts; who is the contractor selected; how many people have applied to individual TECs and remain on a waiting list; and what criteria will be applied for entitlements, including those in connection with transport and child care costs. [120833]

Mr. Wicks [holding answer 8 May 2000]: I can answer most of the hon. Member's question by referring him to the replies I have given to the previous parliamentary questions of 3 April and 4 May 2000, Official Report, columns 295W and 196W respectively.

Our latest figures show that in England, over 117,000 accounts had been opened by the end of March 2000. This is against a UK target of 100,000 accounts opened by April 2000, and we are on track to achieve the target of 1 million accounts opened in the lifetime of this Parliament.

I am pleased to announce that the Department has issued a letter of intent to Capita Group to start the development of these services under the national framework.

From April, we have been offering 80 per cent. discounts for computer literacy courses through Further Education colleges in England. Anyone aged 19 or over can open a learning account and claim the incentives. When deciding eligibility for the incentives, we will take into account the type of learning people plan to undertake and any Government financial support they already get for their chosen learning. Child care and transport costs will not be eligible for the incentives.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND

THE REGIONS

Regional Development Agencies

15. Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he has made to monitor the performance of regional development agencies. [120154]

9 May 2000 : Column: 358W

Ms Armstrong: We developed an interim evaluation and performance monitoring framework for the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) prior to their establishment on 1 April last year. This framework included a set of core indicators that reflected the purposes for which the RDAs were set up, to be used by the RDAs in developing their regional strategies.

We undertook to review the interim framework within 18 months of the establishment of the RDAs, and we have recently started to take this review forward.

A38 Bypass

16. Mr. Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his bypass programme for the A38. [120155]

Mr. Hill: The Dobwalls bypass and the Saltash-Stoketon Cross improvement schemes are being considered under the London to South-West and South Wales multi-modal study. The outcome of the study will inform consideration of transport infrastructure requirements in preparing Regional Planning Guidance, including the need for improvements to the trunk road network.

New Houses (South-East)

17. Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on his proposals for housebuilding in the South-East. [120156]

Mr. Raynsford: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is just beginning to receive representations on his proposals. These are subject to public consultation until l9 June. He expects to receive further representations to his "Proposed Changes to Draft Regional Planning Guidance" (RPG9) during the course of the consultation period.

Trans-European Road Network

18. Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on investment in Trans-European Network roads. [120157]

Mr. Hill: Parts of the national trunk road network have also been designated as Trans-European Network (TEN) routes. Our plans for investment in the trunk road network were set out in "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England".

Air Pollution

19. Mr. Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Government policy concerning the emission of greenhouse gases by aircraft within UK jurisdiction. [120158]

Mr. Mullin: Emissions from aircraft on domestic flights are already included in the UK totals and targets. The draft Climate Change Programme, published in March, sets out our plans for delivering the UK's target under the Kyoto Protocol and moving towards our

9 May 2000 : Column: 359W

domestic goal of a 20 per cent. cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010. We are also working in ICAO towards the reduction of emissions from international aviation.

Fishing Vessels (Safety)

20. Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to modify the regulations governing the safety of the crews of United Kingdom-registered fishing vessels. [120160]

Mr. Hill: We have recently introduced the Fishing Vessels (EC Directive on Harmonised Safety Regime) Regulations 1999, and we are continuing to implement occupational health and safety directives. We propose to introduce a safety code for under-12m fishing vessels and to review the UK Fishing Vessel (Safety Provisions) 1975.

Transatlantic Aviation Market

21. Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to raise the full liberalisation of the transatlantic aviation market at the bilateral talks with the United States in June. [120161]

Mr. Mullin: The Government will persist in their efforts to secure the liberalisation of the UK/US aviation market at the next round of formal talks to be held in June.

Cheam Station

22. Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make improvements to the condition and fabric of Cheam station a condition of the re-award of the relevant franchise. [120162]

Mr. Hill: As the hon. Gentleman will know from the recent adjournment debate about the replacement of the Connex South Central franchise, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has issued instructions to the Franchising Director asking him to deliver improvements through renegotiation of franchise agreements. The replacement bids for this franchise must include proposals for improved station facilities and a cleaner, safer station environment.

Green Belt

23. Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to protect existing green belt areas. [120163]

Mr. Raynsford: Planning Policy Guidance note 2 already states that land in designated green belts should be protected against inappropriate development. Local planning authorities must take it into account in preparing their development plans and in individual development control decisions.

Climate Change

24. Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent research he has commissioned to determine the effects of climate change on human health. [120164]

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Mr. Meacher: My Department supports research on the global impacts of climate change on human health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The Department of Health has commissioned a report from the Institute for Environment and Health on the possible impacts of climate change on health in the UK.

Railtrack Safety Company

25. Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the safety company of Railtrack will be incorporated; and when the managing director will be appointed. [120165]

Mr. Hill: The Health and Safety Executive and the Rail Regulator will shortly be starting a statutory consultation on changes to Regulations and to Railtrack's licence necessary to enable the new company to function. I understand that Railtrack is proceeding as far as it can with the arrangements for setting up the new company.

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