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21 May 2003 : Column 770W—continued
Motorcycling
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings have been held in each of the last four years of the Government's Advisory Group on Motorcycling; and when a national motorcycling policy will be published. [114067]
Mr. Jamieson: Since its inception, the Advisory Group on Motorcycling has met as follows:
- 1999—3 times
2000—3 times
2001—2 times
2002—3 times
2003—2 times so far.
The Government expect to determine their strategy for motorcycling next year.
21 May 2003 : Column 771W
National Museums of Scotland (Concorde)
Mr. Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the loan or donation of a Concorde by British Airways to the National Museums of Scotland. [114824]
Mr. Jamieson: The Department has not received any representations in relation to the approach of the National Museums of Scotland to British Airways.
Number Plates
Mr. McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many number plate suppliers have registered under the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001; what checks have been carried out to ensure number plate manufacturers and suppliers are complying with the Act; how many vehicle identity check centres have been established and on what basis their location was decided; how many VIC checks have been completed to date; how many checks resulted in refusal to register a vehicle; and what the most common reasons for refusal to register a vehicle were. [114591]
Mr. Jamieson: Both the registration of number plate suppliers and vehicle identity checks (VICs) form part of the Government's programme to reduce vehicle crime. They are specifically designed to combat vehicle ringing and cloning (the practice of disguising the identity of stolen vehicles or vehicles used for unlawful purposes.)
As of 16 May, 26,445 number plate suppliers representing 31,977 retail outlets were registered with DVLA.
Since 1 March enforcement powers have rested with the police and local authorities. They have been fully briefed on the legislation. DVLA has received several requests for clarification from these authorities and reports that inspections of premises have been carried out. A DVLA team is being set up to provide support to the police and local authorities for those purposes.
Since the introduction of the vehicle identity check (VIC) scheme on 7 April. 69 inspections have been carried out in Great Britain and one in Northern Ireland. Two vehicles tested in Great Britain have failed. A total of 54 test sites have been established.
Pollution (UK Waters)
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the maximum penalty is for the (a) owners and (b) operators of vessels causing pollution in UK waters. [114840]
Mr. Jamieson: Pollution in UK waters can be caused by various substances. The following gives the maximum penalties for each different substance.
| Type ofpollution | Maximum penalty onsummary conviction (£) | Maximum penalty onconviction on indictment |
|---|---|---|
| Oil | 250,000 owner and manager | A fine owner and manager |
| Garbage | 25,000 owner and manager | A fine owner and manager |
| Chemical | 25,000 owner | A fine owner |
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Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vessels were prosecuted for pollution incidents in UK waters in each of the last five years. [114838]
Mr. Jamieson: Individual harbour authorities prosecute pollution incidents within harbour authority limits, and the Department has no figures regarding the numbers of their prosecutions. Outside of those areas, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) deal with prosecutions. They have conducted the following numbers of prosecutions.
| Number of prosecutions | |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 6 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 2 |
Rail Subsidies
Mr. Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what level of subsidy Virgin West Coast Railways will receive over the remaining length of its franchise; and what the level was in the original contract. [113775]
Mr. Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority is currently in the process of re-negotiating the Virgin West Coast franchise. The level of subsidy to be paid to Virgin has not yet been determined.
Regional Airports Consultation
Mr. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the reason is for the lower age limit of 16 for eligibility to complete the Regional Airports Consultation questionnaire; and if he will make a statement. [114355]
Mr. Jamieson: There is no age eligibility criterion for completing the airports' questionnaire. We welcome views from younger consultees, and many have already responded to the consultation in a variety of ways, including letters and petitions.
School Buses
Mr. David: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government have to introduce measures to prevent three children, under 14 years of age, sitting on two seats on school buses. [114974]
Mr. Jamieson: Three children under the age of 14 sitting on two seats is permitted by the Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984. However, as this is a concession and not a requirement I have no plans to abolish this allowance. The use of this concession is declining as the modern interior designs of buses and coaches make it impracticable to use. It is also not permissible where seat belts are fitted.
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) the three-for-two rule on school buses is being enforced
21 May 2003 : Column 773W
and (b) no children over the age of 14 are sharing a seat with two other pupils; and if he will make a statement. [115074]
Mr. Jamieson: Three children under the age of 14 sitting on two seats is a concession under the Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984. It is the responsibility of the driver of any vehicle carrying schoolchildren to ensure that this concession is not abused. It is, however, becoming redundant. Sharing seats is not an option (no matter what the age of the children) in vehicles fitted with seat belts. All mini-buses and coaches carrying schoolchildren must now be fitted with seat belts, except for those that pre-date the legislation and which are gradually disappearing from the road.
Sponsorships
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which of his Department's projects have received sponsorship in the last financial year; who the sponsor was in each case; what the nature of each project was; what time-period was covered by each project; what the total cost of each project was; how much money was involved in each sponsorship deal; and if he will make a statement. [112398]
Mr. Jamieson: The Department has not received any cash sponsorship support. Many companies, however, have linked with Think!, my Department's road safety campaign and carried road safety messages in their own activities. We have not quantified the value of this supportive activity but we welcome extension of our safety messages by companies. Examples are in my Department's annual report.
Staff Numbers
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of regional variations in staff turnover in his Department. [112748]
Mr. Jamieson: The Department is yet to undertake an assessment of regional variations in staff turnover. The Regional Co-ordination Unit, as the corporate centre of the Government Office Network, collects data for the Government Offices. This data will be used to make assessments of regional differences in developing the Department's workforce strategies.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget plans to examine relocation of public services with the aim of achieving best value for money. He has asked Sir Michael Lyons—Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies at Birmingham University—to advise on relocation by the next Spending Review.
Train Safety
Mr. David: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Government have plans to introduce measures to oblige train companies to provide seat belts for their passengers. [114990]
Mr. Jamieson: There are currently no plans to fit seatbelts in passenger trains.
21 May 2003 : Column 774W
CABINET OFFICE
Civil Service
Mr. Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to reduce the number of civil service posts for which passing the civil service examination is a key requirement; and if he will make a statement. [114280]
Mr. Alexander: There is no single "Civil Service exam". With the exception of the Fast Stream, and recruitment to the most senior posts, recruitment to the Civil Service is the responsibility of individual government departments and agencies. In general their systems are based on the competences their businesses require, and their recruitment processes are determined by the needs of the post. Departments are free to choose the selection methods that best demonstrate the competences and skills they are seeking. These can include a variety of tests and exercises, interviews or assessment centres.
My own Department recruits for the graduate Fast Stream Programme on behalf of Departments and reports annually to Parliament with details of the scheme, including numbers of applicants and successes at each selection stage. The tests, exercises and interviews are designed and validated with the aim of achieving the best possible prediction of suitability for, and success in, the job. The recruitment process for all jobs in the Civil Service must be consistent with the principle of selection on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code.
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