House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 2 Jul 2002 (pt 8)

Multi-modal Studies

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) guidance has been given by his Department and (b) legislation is in place with regard to the methodology for multi-modal studies (i) proposals and (ii) assessment; and if he will make a statement. [66311]

Mr. Jamieson: The Department issued Guidance on the Methodology for Multi-Modal Studies (GOMMMS) in March 2000. In addition one errata; two supplementary pieces of GOMMMS guidance; and a report commissioned by the Department on 'Soft Factors Likely To Affect Travel Demand' have been published since that date. All of these documents can be found on the Departmental website at:

http://www.roads.dft.gov.uk/roadnetwork/heta/hetapubs.htm

There is no legislation in place relating to the methodology for multi-modal studies.

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2002, Official Report, columns 769–70W, on multi-modal studies, if he will list the (a) number, (b) type, (c) length, (d) expected impact on the numbers of passengers and journeys and (e) expected impacts on congestion and pollution of bus schemes (i) proposed, (ii) accepted and (iii) under way for each of the multi-modal studies that have reported; [66069]

Official Report

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Mr. Jamieson: The multi-modal studies are strategic transport studies which examine the contribution that combinations of measures, covering, among other things, roads, rail, public transport and behavioural change initiatives, could make to resolving the transport problems in the study areas. Information about specific measures in isolation is not available in the detail requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

2 Jul 2002 : Column 224W

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2002, Official Report, columns 769–70W, on multi-modal studies, if he will list the (a) number, (b) type, (c) length, (d) expected impact on the number of road journeys and freight volumes and (e) expected impacts on congestion and pollution of road building schemes (i) proposed, (ii) accepted and (iii) underway for each of the multi- modal studies that have reported. [66074]

Mr. Jamieson: The Multi-Modal Studies are strategic transport studies which examine the contribution that combinations of measures, covering, among other things, roads, rail, public transport and behavioural change initiatives, could make to resolving the transport problems in the study areas. Information about specific measures in isolation is not available in the detail requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2002, Official Report, columns 769–70W, on multi-modal studies, if he will list the (a) number, (b) type, (c) length, (d) expected impact on the numbers of passengers and journeys and freight volume and (e) expected impacts on congestion and pollution of rail schemes (i) proposed, (ii) accepted and (iii) underway for each of the multi- modal studies that have reported. [66071]

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2002, Official Report, columns 769–70W, on multi-modal studies, if he will list the (a) number, (b) type, (c) length, (d) expected impact on the numbers of passengers and journeys and (e) expected impacts on congestion and pollution of light rail, tram and guided busway schemes (i) proposed, (ii) accepted and (iii) underway for each of the multi-modal studies that have reported. [66072]

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2002, Official Report, columns 769–70W, on multi-modal studies, if he will list the (a) number, (b) type, (c) length, (d) expected impact on the numbers of journeys and (e) expected impacts on congestion and pollution of cycle lane and footpath schemes (i) proposed, (ii) accepted and (iii) under way for each of the multi-modal studies that have reported. [66070]

Mr. Jamieson: The Multi-Modal Studies are strategic transport studies which examine the contribution that combinations of measures, covering, among other things,

2 Jul 2002 : Column 225W

roads, rail, public transport and behavioural change initiatives, could make to resolving the transport problems in the study areas. Information about specific measures in isolation is not available in the detail requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

CABINET OFFICE

Regulatory Impact Assessments

35. Dr. Cable: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to ensure that regulatory impact assessments are consistent between Government Departments. [63751]

Mr. Alexander: The Cabinet Office issues guidance to Departments on producing regulatory impact assessments. This guidance follows the methodology set out in the Treasury publication "Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government", and it is currently being updated and reviewed. It will be subject to a public consultation starting in the summer. The final version will be issued by the end of 2002.

Emergency Planning Procedures

36. Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on changes to emergency planning procedures implemented since June 2001. [63752]

Mr. Alexander: Since June 2001, the Government has carefully reviewed civil protection arrangements across the UK. As a result, measures have been taken by Government Departments, the emergency services and local authorities to improve assessment, detection, protection, planning and response to a wide range of threats.

Deregulation

37. Paul Flynn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what new proposals he has to improve the efficiency of Government Departments by means of deregulation. [63754]

Mr. Alexander: The Office of Public Service Reform (OPSR) is working on several projects that aim to reform the workings of Central Government. They include:

The Departmental Change Programme is designed to ensure that Government Departments and services are equipped to achieve a step change in delivery of outcomes, consistent with the four principles of public service reform.

Improving Programme and Project Delivery to improve the civil service's capability and capacity to deliver efficient Government.

The Regulatory Impact Unit has developed collaboratively with other Departments the Policy effects framework; a strategy for avoiding unnecessary bureaucratic from new policy.

Performance and Innovation Unit

38. Ms Dari Taylor: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list his Department's responsibilities with regard to the Performance and Innovation Unit. [63755]

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Mr. Alexander: As announced on 24 June, the Performance and Innovation Unit will be brought together with the Forward Strategy Unit to form a single unit called the Strategy Unit.

The Strategy Unit will carry out long-term strategic reviews and policy analysis which can take several forms:

long-term strategic reviews of major areas of policy;

studies of cross-cutting policy issues;

strategic audit, (eg where do the Government stand in relation to their main objectives?); and

working with Departments to promote strategic thinking and improve policy making across Whitehall.

I will support the Prime Minister by taking on a ministerial sponsorship role in relation to the work of the Strategy Unit. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston is the sponsor Minister for the current PIU project on risk and uncertainty.

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