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10 Mar 2003 : Column 47W—continued
Transport Grants
Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the administrative costs were of the (a) Water Freight grant, (b) Mobility grants, (c) Road Safety grants, (d) Clean Up Haulage grant, (e) Clean Up grant, (f) Powershift grant, (g) Track Access grant, (h) Rail Freight grant and (i) Bus Service Operator's grant in the last financial year. [101474]
Mr. Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 December 2002, Official Report, column 663W.
Airports
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet a delegation from Essex and Kent on Saturday 5 April to discuss issues surrounding options for an airport in the Thames region. [100858]
Mr. Jamieson: Ministers are happy in principle to meet hon. Members with representatives of areas affected by options in the current airports consultation. Although I am unable to make the date suggested by the hon. Member, I am sure that alternative arrangements can be made. I would invite the hon. Member to contact my office.
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what statutory authority security companies operate at British airports; and what guidance he issues on the criteria to be used in recruiting security firms at British airports. [101165]
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Mr. Jamieson: Airlines, airports, air cargo agents and aviation caterers are currently directed under sections 12 to 14 of the Aviation Security Act 1982. While they may engage agents to act on their behalf, they remain legally responsible for the security function. Work is under way to create a list of approved providers of aviation security, which will include those companies contracted by Directed parties to provide a service. Such companies will have to meet certain criteria, set down by my Department, before they can deliver security functions at British airports.
Croydon Tramlink
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the arrangement between Amey and Croydon Tramlink regarding the Special Purpose Vehicle is a non-recourse financial arrangement. [101427]
Mr. Jamieson: Croydon Tramlink is a matter for the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL). I understand that the Tramlink Concession Agreement is between TfL and Tramtrack Croydon Ltd. (TCL). It would not be appropriate for the Government to speculate about TCL's financial arrangements.
Aviation
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the impact of the potential use of hand-held surface to air missiles on aviation security. [100721]
Mr. Jamieson: My Department's approach is to manage the risk to the industries arising from the threat of a terrorist attack. The security measures imposed seek to minimise the industries' vulnerabilities while recognising operational realities. The Government's aim is to set the measures to counter the risk.
All the security programmes are kept under continuous review. It is not our practice to detail the required security measures for obvious reasons.
Mr. Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has commissioned as part of the Government's work for the Aviation White Paper. [101283]
Mr. Jamieson: The Government have commissioned a substantial body of work in connection with the proposed air transport White Paper. Most of the work has been carried out as part of the Regional Air Services studies relating to the North of England, the Midlands, the South West, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; the Regional Air Services Co-ordination study; and the South East and East of England Regional Air Services study. This work is formally categorised as consultancy rather than research. The relevant reports are listed in the Annexes to the regional consultation documents on the future development of air transport in the United Kingdom, as follows.
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Copies of the consultation documents have been placed in the House Libraries and are also available on the Department for Transport's website www.aircconsult.gov.uk.
The Department has also commissioned or is supporting research in a number of areas to inform ongoing policy development. This includes research into the impact of aviation on climate change, the subjective perceptions of noise, Deep Vein Thrombosis, and aircraft engine emissions. In addition, we have offered a substantial contribution to help fund an international study (under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation) into establishing a global emissions trading scheme in which aviation can participate.
Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many properties have been compulsorily purchased by the Civil Aviation Authority in each year since 1999. [101827]
Mr. Jamieson: There has been no compulsory purchase of property by the Civil Aviation Authority since 1999.
Biofuels
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars in the UK run on biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the benefits of the use of biofuels for the environment. [101063]
Mr. Jamieson: The best indicator of biofuel use is volume of sales rather than number of vehicles. This has increased significantly since the introduction of a lower rate of duty for biodiesel in July 2002; Customs and Excise figures for January indicate over 400,000 litres of the fuel being sold from around 100 filling stations. The November Pre-Budget Report announced a commitment to introduce a similar preferential duty rate for bioethanol and we would expect a similar pattern of take-up of this new fuel once this has been introduced.
Biofuels offer a number of environmental benefits compared to conventional mineral fuels. Importantly, they can contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions due to the absorption of carbon dioxide during the growth stage of the biofuel feedstock; recent studies have shown that both biodiesel and bioethanol can reduce emissions by at least 50 per cent. measured over the "life-cycle" of the fuel. In addition, the use of biofuels can help improve air quality, particularly when used in a blend with conventional mineral fuels. Furthermore, the low toxicity and high biodegradability of biodiesel in particular makes its use ideal for sensitive environments such as waterways.
Biofuels are mainly used in a 5 per cent. blend with conventional fuels. All cars are warranted for use with
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5 per cent. blends of biodiesel and bioethanol which meet the respective European Fuel Standards, EN590 and EN228. Biofuels not produced to these standards may damage vehicles and their use will invalidate car manufacturers' warranties. It is also an offence to use fuel on which the relevant duty has not been paid.
Registration Numbers
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the matter of cloned number plates on vehicles; what action in relation to it is planned; and if he will make a statement. [101215]
Mr. Jamieson: We are extremely concerned about the apparent increase in vehicle cloning in order to avoid road traffic enforcement cameras. We are taking action to tackle this difficult problem.
Since 1 January 2003 it has been a requirement for suppliers of number plates to be registered with DVLA. To date over 26,000 outlets have registered. This will ensure that in future number plates are only sold by registered suppliers to a purchaser who can show proof of entitlement and identity. Records will be kept of all sales for inspection by the police and local authority trading standards officers. Plates already have to be marked with the details of the producer.
In addition, in order to prevent the theft of number plates from vehicles for the purpose of cloning, consideration is being given to the use of additional security features designed to establish a clear and visible link between a number plate and the vehicle on which it should be displayed. The use of more secure fixings is also under urgent investigation.
Highways Agency
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the Highways Agency's performance in registering with the Land Registry its acquisition of land; whether a system is in place to ensure acquired land is registered; and if he will make a statement. [101748]
Mr. Jamieson: The Secretary of State has not made a specific assessment of the performance of the Highways Agency in registering the acquisition of land with the Land Registry. Solicitors acting for the Agency register land as a matter of course following the acquisition of title.
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