| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
25 Nov 2002 : Column 67W—continued
TRANSPORT
Air Traffic Control
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research (a) has been conducted by his Department and (b) has been assessed by his Department or is planned on the impact of air traffic growth on air traffic control services, and which has taken place (i) by 2004–05, (ii) by 2015 and (iii) by 2030. [81411]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 20 November 2002]: The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) analysis included a preliminary high-level assessment of airspace issues by simulating a number of potential airport development packages.This was undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority's Directorate of Airspace Policy and National Air Traffic Services. The results of this work are set out in chapter 18 of The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East main consultation document. Copies of the report by CAA and NATs have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Air Transport Consultation (Scotland)
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role of the Scottish Executive in (a) collating and (b) responding to the recent consultation on the future of air transport. [82589]
Mr. Jamieson: Ministers and officials from the Department for Transport and Scottish Executive have liaised closely on the preparation of the consultation document for Scotland and its associated background reports. Officials from both Departments will continue to work together on the analysis of the responses to the consultation and provide advice to Ministers for future discussions on the development of the air transport White Paper which we will publish next year.
Airport Security
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level and effectiveness of security at airports, particularly (a) perimeter fencing, (b) outbuildings and (c) airside generally. [80960]
Mr. Jamieson: On the basis of an assessment of the risk, the Department for Transport sets aviation security policy, directs the industry and monitors compliance.
Aerodrome managers are required to establish and maintain restricted zones from which commercial air services operate. They must control access to such zones via a continuous physical barrier with designated, controlled access points to ensure that only authorised persons and vehicles are able to enter. DfT inspectors monitor compliance with these requirements and require remedial action where necessary.
Airport Expansion
Mr. Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to make a full environmental impact statement about options for expansion of airports in the south-east of England. [80711]
25 Nov 2002 : Column 68W
Mr. Spellar: The XAppraisal Framework for Airports in the South East and Eastern Regions of England" published in November 2000 sets out the indicators for assessing the impacts of the runway options published in the XFuture Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East" consultation. This includes a range of key environmental impacts such as noise, local air quality, climate change, townscape, landscape, biodiversity, heritage, and water.
The consultation seeks views on these and other key impacts associated with the runway options. Responses on these issues will be important considerations in the final decisions for the air transport White Paper which we will publish next year.
Birmingham International Airport
Mr. John Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what supporting documentation has been submitted to his Department in connection with the alternative Birmingham airport option; and how he plans to evaluate the alternative option against the Department for Transport options. [82916]
Mr. Jamieson: We have not received any other supporting documentation from Birmingham airport about their alternative option set out in XThe Birmingham Alternative". We will need to consider their detailed response to the future development of air transport consultation and any supporting documentation accompanying it carefully once it is received alongside other representations on the options set out in the Midlands consultation document when preparing the Air Transport White Paper.
Bus Safety
Miss McIntosh : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent research he has commissioned into the potential improvement of safety on coaches by the introduction of (a) seatbelts and (b) rollover bars. [83569]
Mr. Jamieson: Research was carried out in the UK in 2000–02 aimed at identifying any necessary improvements to the European standard for coach rollover protection requirements as a consequence of seat belt use. The results of this research will be published shortly and are currently being used in the international group responsible for developing the standard for rollover protection. Additional research looking at the restraint of children in coaches has recently been commissioned, and is due for completion in 2005. My Department is also contributing to the wider EU funded research project, XEnhanced Coach and Bus Safety" which is looking more widely into bus and coach safety standards.
Commissioners of Lights
Dr. Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial contribution in euros has been made by the Irish Government in the financial years (a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–2000 under the terms of an agreement reached in 1985 for the sharing of certain costs incurred by the Commissioners of Lights in the Republic of Ireland. [80812]
25 Nov 2002 : Column 69W
Mr. Jamieson: The information requested is given in the following table.
| Financial years | Amount in Irish Punts | Conversion to Euros |
|---|---|---|
| 1994–95 | 1,853,311 | E2,353,220 |
| 1995–96 | 2,001,850 | E2,541,826 |
| 1996–97 | 1,884,700 | E2,393,076 |
| 1997–98 | 2,013,134 | E2,556,153 |
| 1998–99 | 1,825,392 | E2,317,770 |
| 1999–2000 | 1,426,832 | E1,811,703 |
70 per cent. of the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) total expenditure is deemed to be incurred in the Republic. The contribution varies each year in proportion to CIL's operating costs.
The single European currency was introduced in the Republic of Ireland on 1 January 2002. Prior to that date, the contribution was made in Irish punts.
Crossrail
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what research has been conducted and is planned by his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority on the (a) economic, (b) social and (c) environmental implications of the proposed plans for Crossrail; [81744]
- (2) what discussions his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority have had and plan to have; and what representations have been received by his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority on the (a) economic, (b) social and (c) environmental implications of the proposed plans for Crossrail; and if he will place copies of all related documentation in the Library. [81747]
Mr. Jamieson: My Department and the Strategic Rail Authority have received a number of representations about the proposed plans for Crossrail. Cross London Rail Links, the company jointly established by the SRA and Transport for London to develop proposals for Crossrail, are currently considering route and service options and working on the business case for them, including an assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts.
Jet Skis
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many personal injury accidents involving jet-skis have taken place in UK waters in each of the last five years. [83314]
Mr. Jamieson: H.M Coastguard incident reports record a total of 895 incidents involving personal watercraft between 1 January 1997 and 22 November 2002 around the UK coastline. No information is available on the number of personal injuries.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of jet-skis in use in England and Wales. [83315]
Mr. Jamieson: My Department does not keep statistics on the number of jetskis in use in England and Wales.
25 Nov 2002 : Column 70W
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has issued to promote safe use of jet-skis to (a) individual owners, (b) local authorities with responsibility for beaches and (c) port and marina operators. [83319]
Mr. Jamieson: My Department takes the view that it is the responsibility of UK local authorities and harbour authorities to regulate personal watercraft using local bye-law powers. As such, no guidance has been issued, to date, to local authorities, although the Department is currently involved in an exercise to produce relevant information. A guide to Good Practice on Port Marine Operations was published for harbour operators in March 2002.
With regard to individual owners, the Department has produced a nationally distributed 'Voluntary Code of Practice for Leisure Users', which provides safety information to personal watercraft users. Additionally, along with national sporting bodies, manufacturers, and water safety organisations, it is conducting an ongoing safety campaign to encourage training and better awareness of the users' responsibilities.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |