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Trunk Roads
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the proposal of a link road between a new junction 18a on the M4 and the Avon Ring Road was (a) first included and (b) removed from the Government's trunk road programme. [138229]
Mr. Hill: The proposal for a new link road and a new junction on the M4 was first put forward by the former Avon County Council in 1985. This was accepted in principle by the then Department of Transport, but was never included in the Government's trunk road programme.
Responsibility for the scheme passed to South Gloucestershire Council, following local government reorganisation. The Council subsequently carried out a review of a number of major road schemes in their area in the context of current Government transport policy and emerging development plan policies. As a result, they decided in 1999 not to pursue this particular scheme.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Recreational Craft Engines
Mrs. Brinton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications of EC Directive 94/25/EC on small businesses engaged in the modification, upgrading and conversion to LPG of recreational craft engines. [137294]
Mr. Alan Johnson: No specific assessment has been made at present. EC Directive 94/25/EC on recreational craft (RCD) is principally concerned with the design and construction (in terms of safety) of such craft, as well as certain specified components for incorporation into craft (including fuel tanks and fuel hoses), when they are placed on the market or put into service for the first time in the European Economic Area (EEA). The RCD became mandatory on 16 June 1998. The object of the RCD is to allow the free trade in recreational craft and the specified components, while maintaining a high level of product safety. Any person placing those products on the EEA market, or putting them into use, since that date is obliged to meet the essential safety requirements covering for example hull strength, stability and buoyancy, as well as safety requirements concerned with the installation of the engine, fuel systems and fuel tanks. Meeting the requirements of the RCD and properly applying the CE
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marking confers the right to sell the craft anywhere in the EEA. Any subsequent modification, upgrading and conversion of a craft, concerned with the engine installation, is not currently within the scope of the RCD unless that modification, upgrading or conversion of the craft was so extensive that it amounted (in effect) to a "new" craft being produced for the purposes of the RCD. However it may be the case that, depending on where the craft is used, local "in use" safety regulations would need to be met as part of or following an engine modification.
The Commission has recently issued a proposal for the modification of the RCD which would (if adopted) include, in particular, requirements related to engine exhaust and noise emissions: the former would include propulsion engines subject to a "major engine modification" and the latter to recreational craft with engines that are subject to a "major craft conversion". Businesses are aware of this proposal but will be consulted as negotiations progress: A regulatory impact assessment is being commissioned. A public meeting has been arranged at the DTI on 15 January 2001, to which interested parties will be invited.
Mobile Telephones
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what independent research the Government have commissioned on the health aspects of using mobile telephones and the level of radiation from hands-free kits. [137773]
Ms Hewitt: The DTI commissioned independent tests, published in August, on the use of personal hands-free kits with mobile phones. The tests showed that use of hands-free kit reduced exposure when compared to normal use of the phone.
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These tests were consistent with other tests that have been carried out internationally, but have been contradicted by studies commissioned by the Consumers' Association.
Both the Department and independent scientists have expressed reservations about the methodology employed in the Consumers' Association tests.
We are working with the Consumers' Association and urgently seeking to reconcile these conflicting test results.
Small Business Programme
Mr. Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ensure that assets of the Learning and Business Link Company, Kent, including computers and servers, formerly the property of Business Link Kent and currently used by the chambers of commerce and enterprise, will be retained by the latter for use in the Small Business Programme. [137738]
Ms Hewitt: It is our objective that the transition from the existing BL network to the new SBS local network should be conducted in such a way as to ensure publicly funded assets continue to be used for the purposes for which they were intended. My officials are working with the organisations concerned in each area to ensure that this outcome is achieved to the greatest possible extent. I do not feel it would be appropriate to comment on the individual commercial negotiations concerned.
Renewable Energy
Mr. Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the waste incineration projects which have been approved under the terms of Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation, but which have yet to be built. [137394]
Mrs. Liddell [holding answer 9 November 2000]: A list of these projects is shown in the table.
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