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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 19 June 2003
TRANSPORT
Mobility Vehicles
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from operators of mobility vehicles about the withdrawal of mobility breakdown cover by motoring organisations; and if he will make a statement. [120383]
Mr. Jamieson: We have received representations from a number of disabled people affected by the withdrawal of breakdown cover for these vehicles and we have discussed this issue both with the motoring organisations and with representatives of wheelchair manufacturers and suppliers. We will continue to support initiatives to offer a similar service in future.
Motorcycles
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to encourage the development and use of practical alternatives to permanent tints of less than 50 per cent. light transmittance in motorcycle visors for daytime use only; and if he will make a statement. [119929]
Mr. Jamieson: I have called for standards bodies to encourage the development of visor designs that lend themselves to both day and night time use. I understand that the relevant technical committee at the British Standards Institution has decided that the matter should be brought to the attention of the corresponding technical committee at the International Standards Organisation.
In addition, the Department is planning new research on motorcyclists' helmets and visors that, among other things, would include work to:
- (i) help develop requirements better suited to light reactive visor materials or other means of dealing with low sun and sun glare; and
(ii) evaluate new visor concepts.
Railways
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are for changes in the level of rail services in Scotland. [120076]
Mr. McNulty: The Scottish Executive are responsible for funding and specifying services in Scotland provided under the ScotRail franchise. The Executive, together with the Strategic Rail Authority, are working towards the re-letting of the current franchise, which ends in 2004.
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Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his Answer of 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 128W, on railways, whether Thameslink has asked for approval from (a) the SRA and (b) Network Rail to exceed the prescribed journey times; and if he will list Thameslink core routes and prescribed permitted journey times. [117274]
Mr. Jamieson: The SRA have informed me that the information they gave me for the answer given on 12 May 2003 was incorrect. In consequence, the hon. Member was misinformed. I regret this has happened. The SRA have apologised for the error. The SRA have now told me that Thameslink have, in fact, requested and received approval from them to exceed the prescribed maximum journey times for the services listed in the table. The SRA have granted derogations as the prescribed journey times are being exceeded because of capacity constraints, and in several cases, because this allows services to be extended from Luton, where they would otherwise terminate, to Bedford. Network Rail does not prescribe maximum journey times.
The approvals granted by the SRA are:
| Service | Prescribed maximum journey time | Actual journey time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Cross Thameslink to Bedford (weekdays) | |||
| 17.42 | 72 | 80 | |
| 20.06 | 72 | 74 | |
| Kings Cross Thameslink to Bedford (Saturdays) | |||
| 17.51 | 72 | 74 | |
| 18.21 | 72 | 74 | |
| 19.51 | 72 | 76 | |
| Blackfriars—Luton (weekdays) | |||
| 09.05 | 49 | 50 | |
| 09.32 | 49 | 50 | |
| Blackfriars—Luton (Saturdays) | |||
| 17.27 | 48 | 49 | |
| 17.57 | 48 | 49 | |
| 18.27 | 48 | 49 | |
| 18.57 | 48 | 49 | |
The permitted journey times (for weekdays) specified for Thameslink's core routes are as follows:
- London Blackfriars—Bedford: 68 minutes provided that it shall be 60 minutes for 80 per cent. of services. If services call at Luton Airport Parkway, the maximum journey time shall be 72 minutes provided that it shall be 62 minutes for 80 per cent. of services;
London Blackfriars to Luton: 47 minutes save that services calling additionally at Luton Airport Parkway may take 49 minutes;
Kings Cross Thameslink to Brighton: 99 minutes provided that it shall be 85 minutes for 75 per cent. of services; and
Kings Cross Thameslink to Sutton via Wimbledon: 68 minutes provided that it shall be 62 minutes for 80 per cent. of services.
Sustainable Development
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what remit relating to sustainable development is (a) required of and (b) undertaken by his Department's (i) executive agencies, (ii) advisory non-departmental bodies, (iii) executive non-departmental bodies, (iv) tribunals, (v) public corporations and (vi) other bodies. [115730]
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Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what remit relating to sustainable development is required by his Department's (a) executive agencies, (b) advisory non-departmental bodies, (c) executive non-departmental bodies, (d) tribunals, (e) public corporations and (f) other bodies. [116676]
Mr. McNulty: All of the bodies for which my Department is responsible are committed to the objectives set out in the Government's overall strategy for sustainable development, "A Better Quality of Life" (Cm 4345), published in May 1999. In addition, they are expected to operate within the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.
Uninsured Drivers
Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2003, Official Report, column 743W, on uninsured drivers, what the overall cost of uninsured driving was in Great Britain between 1997 and 2001; and what assessment has been made of the average increase in the insurance premium of a motorist in each of these years. [120042]
Mr. Jamieson: Estimates from the insurance industry show that, for the years 1997 to 2001 inclusive, the estimated cost of uninsured driving was £1,280 million. This is a running figure that includes cases arising from accidents that happened (and were settled) during those years and accidents occurring in previous years but only settled in those years.
For the year 2002 the resulting increase in each motorist's insurance premium is estimated at between £15 and £30, however no figures are available for previous years.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Age Discrimination
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to address the issue of age discrimination. [109448]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The Northern Ireland Office aims to ensure that its staff are treated fairly and equally by promoting equal opportunities policies whereby no employee or job applicant is unfairly discriminated against either directly or indirectly on a number of grounds, including age. All staff are provided with a copy of this policy.
In addition, in compliance with its statutory duty under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Department has due regard to the promotion of equality of opportunity between persons in nine specified categories, which include persons of different ages. Both internal and outward focused policies and practices are screened to ensure that they do not have an adverse impact on any of the nine categories, including those of different ages.
None of the Department's policies has age restrictions except in relation to retirement. Since 4 October 2002, Northern Ireland Civil Servants employed in the Northern Ireland Office have had the option of remaining in post up to the age of 65, subject to
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satisfactory performance and attendance. For Home Civil Service staff working in the Northern Ireland Office, the subject of retirement age is under review. Staff were made aware of the change of policy by means of a general circular issued on that date.
For Home Civil Service staff working in the Northern Ireland Office, the subject of retirement age is under consideration.
The 11 Departments within the Northern Ireland Administration refer the hon. Member to their answer to the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Dodds) on 18 March 2003, Official Report, column 650W.
Asylum Seekers
Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many asylum seekers are living in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Belfast, South. [119668]
Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
The information is not available in the form requested.
The availability of information on the location of asylum seekers in the UK is currently linked to the support the asylum seeker receives. Asylum seekers in the UK either receive support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), local authorities or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or are supporting themselves.
At the end of March 2003, 190 1 asylum seekers (including dependants) were being supported in NASS accommodation in Northern Ireland, of whom 150 1 were resident in Belfast. Figures are not currently available for Belfast, South.
At the end of March 2003, 25 1 asylum seekers (including dependants) were in receipt of subsistence-only support in Northern Ireland, of whom fewer than 20 were resident in Belfast. Figures are not currently available for Belfast, South.
No information is held centrally on the location of residence of asylum seekers supported by DWP or who support themselves.
- 1 Figures have been rounded to nearest five. These figures exclude cases where support has been ceased.
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