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6 Feb 2003 : Column 368W—continued
Telephone Helplines
Mr. Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many telephone helplines are sponsored by his Department; and which of these helplines are charged at (a) national rate, (b) premium rate and (c) local rate. [95714]
Mr. Jamieson: The Department for Transport has 134 helplines of which 66 are charged at national rate, three at premium rate and five at local rate. The details are in the following table:
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Underground Safety
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when London Underground were first informed of the problem of motors breaking free on high speed underground trains; what subsequent reports they received; and what action was taken. [95085]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 3 February 2003]: I understand from London Underground that they first became aware of problems on the Central line train fleet on 3 September 2001 during a routine maintenance check at Hainault depot, when a train was found to have a dislodged motor. London Underground carried out an immediate ultrasonic examination of the relevant area on other motors, which revealed no further instance of failure.
An independent investigation commissioned by London Underground concluded that the problem was loose bolts. A check of motor bolts on all Central and Waterloo & City line trains was immediately carried out and revealed one instance of a motor with fractured bolts, where the motor was held in place by its safety bracket.The whole fleet was initially fully checked twice, after which a regime of checking all bolts at least once every 3 months was instigated.
On 20 September 2002, a train which was not in service but was entering Loughton sidings was derailed when a motor dropped off. An investigation revealed that the motor bolts had fractured and the safety bracket had failed to retain the detached motor as it was designed to do.
Because of this, the most stringent checking regime possible was introduced with each train being checked every 5 days as a rolling programme across the fleet.
Further independent investigation was also undertaken as a result of the Loughton incident. This highlighted a new concern over the safety bracket bolts and these were specifically included within the 5-daily check regime.
The HSE are also conducting a full investigation.
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INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CDC Capital Partners
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the specialised funds proposed under the reorganisation of CDC Capital Partners which will manage the investment activities of CDC Capital Partners targeting private business in (a) South Asia and (b) Africa in the (i) power and (ii) SME sector. [95616]
Clare Short: CDC has recently launched three funds for the SME sector in West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. Further funds will be launched by CDC this year.
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
Mr. Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the cost of cancellation of the total global debts of the heavily indebted poor countries. [95655]
Clare Short: This information is not yet available. Until the World bank has conducted Debt Sustainability Analyses for all the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), particularly those affected by conflict, it is not possible to calculate the total cost of debt cancellation for these countries under the HIPC Initiative.
Vehicle Fleets
Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the annual rate is at which her Department renews its vehicle fleet, by (a) volume and percentage for each category of vehicle, (b) type of power unit and (c) type of fuel; and what progress has been made on the replacement of vehicles on a lower emissions basis in each of the last three years. [96560]
Clare Short: DFID does not operate a vehicle fleet. The only official cars used are the three cars hired through the Government Car Service for Ministers and
one Senior Official. All three are LPG-fuelled.
Zimbabwe
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she next intends to meet representatives of the Zimbabwean opposition. [96156]
Clare Short: I have no plans to meet with the Zimbabwe opposition at the present time. DFID and FCO officials in Harare maintain dialogue with Government representatives where possible, political parties including the MDC, non-governmental organisations, and other civil society representatives.
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND THE REGIONS
Animal Welfare
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the
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Government is taking to ensure that animal welfare is a prime consideration in discussing reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. [94966]
Mr. Morley: The Government will argue for the inclusion of measures which make a genuine contribution to improving animal welfare in Council discussion of the European Commission's legislative proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, published on 22 January. We will study closely the opportunities and practical implications of the specific measures proposed by the Commission.
Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will help to improve the EU's chances of securing a successful outcome to the WTO negotiations, including on its proposals for recognition of animal welfare measures.
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