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25 Nov 2002 : Column 70W—continued
London Trains
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains an hour can enter London on a single track. [81251]
Mr Spellar :This number will depend on many technical factors, such as the precise signalling system in use on the particular section of track in question.
London Underground
Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will take to ensure that sufficient funds are in place for the continuing requirements of London Underground under the PPP. [82559]
Mr. Jamieson: The Government has offered an unprecedented long-term grant commitment averaging £1 billion per annum in support of the increased investment and improved service performance that will be delivered through the Tube modernisation plans.
Light Dues
Dr. Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue in the form of light dues has been collected in each financial year since 1997–98 from ships calling at ports in (a) Scotland, (b) the Isle
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of Man, (c) England and Wales, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the Republic of Ireland. [80810]
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Mr. Jamieson: The information requested is given in the table as follows.
| 1997–98 | 1998–99 | 1999–2000 | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 6,628,360.51 | 8,034,124.92 | 8,929,663.47 | 9,110,457.12 | 8,536,210.39 |
| Isle of Man | 37,729.06 | 44,424.38 | 20,635.93 | 19,012.13 | 19,400.57 |
| England and Wales | 41,540,875.68 | 54,942,311.20 | 55,756,005.50 | 57,923,611.28 | 62,489,782.79 |
| Northern Ireland | 706,507.01 | 617,011.16 | 662,503.18 | 599,414.51 | 662,195.49 |
| R.O.I (Customs & Excise) | 2,816,419.48 | 3,131,480.85 | 3,464,779.82 | 3,416,674.55 | 3,077,673.30 |
| Total | 61,729,891.74 | 66,769,352.51 | 68,833,587.90 | 71,069,169.59 | 74,785,262.54 |
Notes:
The figures above are for General Light Dues and does not include income from UK Fishing Vessels and Tugs.
The figures do not include any Light Dues refunds that were made.
The figures for R.O.I are shown in Sterling after conversion. Pre conversion figures shown as follows.
| R.O.I (Customs & Excise) | |
|---|---|
| 3,154,665.35 | 1997–98 |
| 3,597,474.41 | 1998–99 |
| 4,246,163.66 | 1999–2000 |
| 4,396,335.39 | 2000–01 |
| 4,144,997.18 | 2001–02 |
Luton Airport
Mr. Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the cost of (a) a bypass round Hitchin and (b) widening the M1 in evaluating the case for a new long runway at Luton airport. [80712]
Mr. Spellar: XThe Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East" main consultation document is seeking views on a range of options, two of which are for development of the single runway at Luton airport.
Chapter 10 of the SERAS Stage Two Appraisal Findings report sets out the estimated costs of the surface access enhancements associated with the Luton airport runway options. Copies of this report have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Motorway Development
(Homeowners' Compensation)
Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what levels of compensation are payable to homeowners affected by new motorway development. [82285]
Mr. Jamieson: Compensation is a complex subject. In cases where property is being acquired for a motorway scheme, the homeowner is paid the full market value. The claim may also include professional costs and payments for the loss of their home, disturbance and other items.
Where property is not being acquired, homeowners may be entitled to claim compensation under Part 1 of the Lands Compensation Act 1973. This takes into account the impact of noise, fumes, artificial lighting and other factors on the value of their property.
A series of booklets 'Compulsory Purchase and Compensation' (1–5), which explains the compensation entitlements arising from highway works, is available to the public and a set will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Multi-modal Study (South-West)
Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will inform hon. Members directly about his decision with regard to the South West Area Regional Multi-Modal Transport Report. [82613]
Mr. Jamieson: We are currently considering the recommendations from this study alongside the views from the respective regional planning bodies, and would hope to be in a position to announce our response to the report and the recommendations shortly.
We will write to hon. Members within the study area on the day of the announcement. Copies of our letters to the Chairs of the regional planning bodies will also be placed in the Libraries of the House.
National Air Traffic Services
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (1) measures are being taken to ensure that a continuous 24-hour service is available for the National Air Traffic Services' online safety information service; on how many occasions the service has been suspended, and for how long in each case; and what assessment he has made of the safety implications of United Kingdom pilots having to obtain safety information via alternative sources to the NATS online information service; [81927]
- (2) if he will make it his policy that the maximum period of downtime on the NATS online information service be not more than 30 minutes in any three-month period; [81925]
(3) what assessment he has made of the implications the faults on the NATS online information service might have for pilots flying from airfields in North Yorkshire. [81926]
Mr. Jamieson: The setting of service standards for civil air traffic services in the UK is a matter for NATS in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority.
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The CAA recognise that some users have experienced problems receiving NOT AM information from the Web-based system over the past three months, however the information has always been available by telephone from the UK AIS Office.
NATS do not have a precise record of the numbers of suspensions to this service. However, a recent software update to the online service has resulted in a marked improvement to the speed and reliability of the system.
Network Rail
Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how mach money has been (a) granted to and (b) guaranteed for Network Rail. [81021]
Mr Spellar: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport to the House on 27 June 2002, Official Report, column 971W, and to the minutes mentioned in that statement.
Oil Tankers
Mr. Gordon Prentice : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his definition is of partial protection in relation to single hull oil tankers; and if he will make a statement. [83002]
Mr. Jamieson: The term Xpartial protection" refers to tankers having wing tanks or double bottoms in protective locations which are not used for the carriage of cargo or operating only with hydrostatically balanced loading. Such tankers do not have full double hulls, the standard required for tankers built since 1996.
Mr. Gordon Prentice : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will press for an immediate ban on single hull oil tankers plying the high seas. [83004]
Mr. Jamieson: We support the recent international agreement at the International Maritime Organization, and applied in the EU by Regulation, under which single hull tankers will be phased out in stages up to and no later than 2007. Such tankers must be replaced by tankers with double hulls.
Open Skies Agreement
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the potential role of Open Skies for Regional Airports in the United Kingdom. [81408]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 20 November 2002]: There are already no capacity restrictions on flights between the US and UK regional airports (defined for this purpose as all UK airports except Heathrow and Gatwick). An Xopen skies" deal, whether on the partial US model or on a full liberalisation model, would allow US airlines unrestricted fifth freedom rights from regional airports.
Mr. Redwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the EU will (a) open and (b) conclude negotiations with the USA on an Open Skies Agreement. [83043]
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Mr. Spellar: In order to open aviation negotiations with the United States the European Commission would first need a mandate from the Council.
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