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National Air Traffic Services

Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of NATS' air traffic controllers are eligible to retire under the early retirement agreement; how many of these are watch supervisors; how many are involved in training for the NERC; how many his Department estimates will exercise their option to retire if Serco is selected as NATS' strategic partner; and what impact this would have on the capacity of the air traffic control system. [153964]

Mr. Robert Ainsworth: The Flexible Retirement Scheme for NATS Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) was introduced on 1 April 1998. Since the scheme was introduced, 106 Controllers have become eligible to retire early, of whom 25 have exercised their right to do so. Of the remaining 81, 52 remain in employment and could exercise their right to retire. Controllers wishing to retire under the scheme are required to give a minimum of

"12 months notice of intention to retire". This "notice of intention" was specifically built into the agreement to minimise the impact on the operational service of controllers wishing to retire under the scheme.

Between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002, a further 56 NATS Controllers become eligible to retire under the scheme, of whom two are watch managers and 18 work on the activity to be transferred to NERC.

It is not possible to estimate whether any more air traffic controllers might opt to retire early as a result of the selection of a Strategic Partner for the NATS PPP.

As regards the impact on capacity, the training programme for the transfer of air traffic operations from West Drayton to Swanwick is in progress and the overall staffing position is currently tight but manageable. If a

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significant number of controllers chose to retire early this coming year, there would be a corresponding impact on the capacity of the air traffic control system.

A74

Mr. Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans to improve the A74 between Carlisle and the Scottish border. [154229]

Mr. Hill: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Eric Martlew, dated 20 March 2001:

The Transport Minister, Keith Hill, has asked me to reply to your recent question about plans to improve the A74 between Carlisle and the Scottish border.

The design agents appointed last September are currently assessing route options for a dual three-lane motorway using as much of the existing route as possible. We are aiming to consult the public next summer on the proposals that emerge. Progress thereafter will depend on the outcome of the consultations and how quickly we can then complete the necessary statutory procedures. As with all schemes in the Targeted Programme of Improvements announced in 1998, the aim is to start work within seven years, although we will better that if we can.

If you would like any further information about this matter, you may wish to contact the Agency's Project Sponsor for the scheme, John Hornagold, at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BE (telephone [phone]).

Aviation Fuels

Mr. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has carried out to develop alternative fuels for aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [154008]

Mr. Robert Ainsworth: None. We are aware of industry research which has identified several potential alternative fuels. For technical, economic or environmental reasons, singly or in combination, none seems viable at present. The possible exception is hydrogen, which is being examined further.

Environment Ministers Meeting (Trieste)

Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of G8 environment ministers in Trieste. [154208]

Mr. Meacher: I am pleased with the outcome of the recent G8 Environment Ministers' meeting, which I attended in Trieste. On Climate Change, all Ministers--including the US--expressed the view that a successful outcome at COP6 bis was necessary to allow early entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. Ministers also confirmed their support for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10) in 2002 and the importance of improving existing environmental governance structures. We also re-affirmed our continued support for the development of common environmental guidelines for Environmental Credit Agencies. Food safety and the links between the environment and health were also discussed. Ministers also agreed unanimously to condemn the

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destruction of statues and shrines in Afghanistan. I am placing a copy of the Communique in the House of Commons Library.

Section 28

Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to repeal Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988. [154022]

Ms Beverley Hughes: Following the vote by the House of Lords against the repeal of section 28 during the passage of the Local Government Act 2000 last summer, the Government reluctantly concluded that it could not pursue the repeal in that Act without jeopardising the other important reforms it contained.

The Government remain committed to the repeal of this unnecessary and divisive piece of legislation at the earliest opportunity to do so effectively.

EU Structural Funding

Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the funding for objective 2 grants for the East of England was received from the EU; and where the money is at present located. [153977]

Ms Beverley Hughes: The European Commission is expected to formally approve the East of England Objective 2 Programme by the end of March and to release the first block of funds in April.

Ministerial Visit (Chelmsford)

Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will explain the reasons behind, and apologise to the hon. Member for West Chelmsford for, breaching the Ministerial Code of Conduct by failing to give him advance warning of his visit to Chelmsford on Tuesday 13 March. [154323]

Mr. Prescott [holding answer 19 March 2001]: Paragraph 79 of the Ministerial Code says that it is the custom for MPs to be informed when a Minister visits their constituency. My office is under strict instructions to inform constituency MPs of all Government or Departmental visits. My visit to Chelmsford was to attend a private Labour Party function and under those circumstances I did not consider it necessary or indeed appropriate to inform the constituency MP.

Bellwin Scheme Payments (Lewes)

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a payment to Lewes district council in respect of the application made under the Bellwin Scheme. [154493]

Ms Beverley Hughes: My Department has received an interim claim dated 28 February 2001 from Lewes district council in respect of costs arising out of flooding between October and December 2000. In accordance with arrangements to which I referred in answers given to the hon. Member for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh) on 8 February 2001, Official Report, column 642W and

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12 February 2001, Official Report, column 6W, payment was authorised within 15 working days of receipt of the claim.

GNER Timetable

Mr. Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he receives from Railtrack about its approval of rail company timetables; and if he will make a statement about GNER timetables after 6 April. [154664]

Mr. Hill: None. The passenger railway timetable is agreed between the train operator and Railtrack. I understand from GNER that a nearly normal timetable will be introduced in early April.

Driving Standards Agency

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what purpose financial surpluses from the Driving Standards Agency are put. [154736]

Mr. Hill: The Driving Standards Agency operates under a trading fund regime and is required to generate a financial surplus equivalent to 6 per cent. of its average net assets in order to cover the cost of the public resources being used by the organisation. This 6 per cent. return is paid to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in the form of dividends plus loan repayments and interest.

Where the Agency makes a financial surplus above the 6 per cent. requirement, this is retained by the Agency as a reserve and may be used to offset future fee increases.

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what process the Driving Standards Agency informs test applicants of a vehicle recall. [154737]

Mr. Hill: Motor manufacturers are responsible for advising owners of vehicle recalls. If the Driving Standards Agency becomes aware of a vehicle problem that could affect the safety of the candidate, the examiner and other road users, the Agency would display information on posters in driving test centres and on the Agency's website. The Agency would also tell driving instructors via its newsletter "Despatch".

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