---

30 Apr 2003 : Column 397W—continued

TRANSPORT

Aeroplane Noise

Mr. Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to encourage aviation companies to replace older and noisier aeroplanes with aeroplanes with the latest technology low-noise engines through (a) financial incentives, (b) legislative measures and (c) other incentives. [110458]

Mr. Jamieson: Government plans for the future of aviation in the UK are currently the subject of comprehensive review in preparation for a White Paper it is hoped to publish later this year. These plans will be decided in the light, inter alia, of the outcome of current discussions with stakeholder groups on the appropriate use of economic instruments for encouraging the aviation industry to limit aircraft noise and its other environmental impacts. Regulations to transpose EU Directive 2002/30/EC, which sets out rules and procedures for introducing noise-related operating restrictions at Community airports, are in preparation. It is hoped to lay them before the summer recess.

Air Transport (Consultation)

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish a summary of responses to the National Consultation on the Future of Air Transport in the UK, broken down by (a) region and (b) subject matter, with reference to partial planning blight; [110420]

(2) how many representations he has received concerning domestic property prices as a result of the National Consultation on the Future of Air Transport in the UK. [110421]

Mr. Jamieson: We have not yet analysed all the responses but we will produce a summary after the consultation closes.

Firstgroup Rail Franchise

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the reasons for excluding the Firstgroup rail franchise from bidding for the new Greater Anglia rail franchise. [109891]

30 Apr 2003 : Column 398W

Mr. Jamieson: This is a matter for the Strategic Rail Authority.

Meole Brace Post Office

Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to increase the level of public transport provision for those people affected by the closure of Meole Brace post office in Shrewsbury to travel to other post offices. [109664]

Mr. Jamieson: This is a matter for Shropshire County Council as the Local Highway Authority to determine. However, I understand that there are no plans to increase the service currently operated by Arriva Midlands on behalf of Shropshire County Council.

Private Finance Initiative

Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many PFI contracts his Department or its agencies (a) have with and (b) are being tendered for by (i) Amey plc and (ii) consortia involving Amey plc; what the total value is of those contracts; what the average length is of the contracts or proposed contracts; and what assessment his Department has made of the financial position of Amey plc and the implications for his Department. [108329]

Mr. Jamieson: Amey plc retains no sole interest awards in PFI contracts for the Department for Transport or its agencies.

Amey plc retains an interest in three PFI contracts awarded to consortia by the Department for Transport and its agencies. These contracts have a total capital value of £5,705 million; two of them are for 30 years and the other for 99 years.

Neither the Department for Transport nor any of its agencies have any PFI contracts out to tender with Amey plc.

The PFI procurement process includes an assessment of the financial robustness of bids. In most cases the bids involve more than one party and this adds to their financial strength.

The Government does not maintain an exhaustive list of which companies have financial interests in particular projects. Such interests vary both in degree and over time and do not necessarily impact on the quality, continuity or the ongoing viability of the project concerned.

It would be inappropriate for Government to comment on the financial position of particular companies, which is a matter for the shareholders concerned.

PRIME MINISTER

Air Transport

Andy King: To ask the Prime Minister how many representations have been received by 10 Downing Street on the National Consultation on the Future of Air Transport in the UK. [110363]

30 Apr 2003 : Column 399W

The Prime Minister: Since October 2002, I have received over 6,000 letters, campaign cards and petitions about air transport, the majority of which relate to the current consultation on the Future Development of Air Transport in the UK. The consultation responses have been forwarded to the Department for Transport for inclusion in the formal consultation process.

Gibraltar

Mr. Ancram: To ask the Prime Minister what plans the Government have to celebrate Gibraltar's 300th anniversary (a) in the UK and (b) in conjunction with the Government of Gibraltar. [109554]

The Prime Minister: We shall consider carefully the question of UK Government participation in commemorative events. So far, there have been some informal exchanges between officials about the 300th anniversary.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister how many United Kingdom and United States inspectors have been deployed in Iraq to search for weapons of mass destruction; what expertise those from the United Kingdom have to conduct the inspections; from what budget they are being paid; and if he will (a) place in the Library and (b) post on the 10 Downing Street website daily updates on the work of the US-UK Iraqi inspection teams. [110113]

The Prime Minister: As I said in the House on 14 April, a specialised team is beginning work and we are in discussion with allies and the UN as to what the future role of the UN in such a process may be.

The initial United Kingdom contribution centres around a number of dedicated survey teams, totalling around 120 personnel, including nuclear, chemical and biological specialists, explosive ordnance disposal personnel; experts in forensic science and evidence-gathering, debriefing and interviewing specialists; and, supporting functions. This initial activity is being funded as part of the overall additional military costs of the operation as a whole. The funding of the United States contribution is a matter for the Government of the United States.

We will aim to release information concerning evidence of Iraqi WMD programmes when and where appropriate, as we did before the conflict began.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

New Millennium Experience Company

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list appointees on the New Millennium Experience Company. [109406]

Mr. McNulty: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is in voluntary, solvent liquidation. Richard Heis and Stephen Treharne of KPMG are the

30 Apr 2003 : Column 400W

appointed liquidators of the company. The directors of NMEC, who surrendered their powers to the liquidators when the company was placed in liquidation, are:

David James


David Quarmby


Len Duvall


Sir Brian Jenkins


Bob Hewes

Planning Policy Guidance 22

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has and over what time scale to revise Planning Policy Guidance 22. [109833]

Mr. McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently preparing the revised planning guidance on renewable energy (PPG22) following informal consultation with a number of interested parties and publication of the recent Energy White Paper . We intend to consult on a draft later this year.

Public Indemnity Insurance

Mr. Alan Duncan: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to prevent the closure of services provided in association with local government by the voluntary sector due to the unwillingness of insurers to provide public indemnity insurance; and if he will make a statement. [109720]

Beverley Hughes [holding answer 28 April 2003]: I have been asked to reply.

I am aware of the problems being experienced by those in the voluntary and community sector, as a result of the volatility in the insurance market since 11 September 2001. It is deeply worrying that small groups of volunteers who are making a real contribution to their communities are being faced with such difficulty.

The Active Community Unit in the Home Office has set up the "Insurance Cover Working Group (ICWG)" to look into the situation and advise on practical solutions. The ICWG has engaged external specialists to undertake a study into the current position regarding the provision of insurance for the voluntary and community sector, including public indemnity liability, and to make practical recommendations that will bring relief to the problems.

The consultants report is to be delivered to the ICWG on 16 June 2003 when the Government will be better placed to consider actions and initiatives to address the issue of rising premiums and the withdrawal of insurance cover, that is in some cases affecting the voluntary and community sector's ability to deliver services.

Once the recommendations of the report have been considered, decisions will be taken to implement agreed practical solutions in partnership with the voluntary and community sector, the insurance industry, local authorities and Government Departments.

30 Apr 2003 : Column 401W

---