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Network Rail

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of (a) the revenues and (b) the losses of Network Rail stem from the least used 10 per cent. of the railway network. [125763]

Dr. Howells: The revenues and costs of Network Rail are computed on a network-wide basis under a "single till" mechanism. However, as required by the rail regulator, Network Rail's business plan sets out elements of projected expenditure by route. Furthermore, as part of his current interim review of access charges the regulator has requested from Network Rail certain information on a disaggregated basis, with a view to developing greater local accountability and efficient allocation of resources.

Night Flights

Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment has been made by the Department of the economic cost of removing the ban on night flights at Heathrow airport, in terms of the
 
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effect on property values on the flight path; what conclusions have been drawn; and if he will make a statement; [125820]

(2) what estimate the Department has made of the economic cost each year of continuing the ban on night flights at Heathrow imposed in 2001 in terms of its impact on the airline industry. [125821]

Mr. McNulty: There is no ban on night flights at Heathrow but, since 1962, various restrictions have been   imposed on night flying, in recognition of the disturbance to some people from aircraft noise at night. The restrictions are reviewed from time to time. Details of the present restrictions are given in the consultation paper "Night Flying Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted" which sets out our proposal to extend those restrictions until October 2005. The consultation closed on 11 July.

Overseas Trips

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for   Transport what overseas trips were made by (a) himself, (b) his ministerial team and (c) departmental staff in each month since 1 October 2002, specifying in each case (i) the participating Ministers, (ii) the destination of the trip, (iii) the purpose of the trip and (iv) the cost of the trip. [117529]

Mr. McNulty: The detailed information is not held    centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

All travel booked by civil servants is in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code.

The Government publishes an annual report of ministerial travel overseas. All travel is conducted in line with the requirements of the ministerial code.

US Warships (Disposal)

Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for   Transport what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of towing former US naval ships through the Pentland Firth. [125688]

Mr. Jamieson: No application has been received to enter the UK Pollution Control Zone which includes the Pentland Firth. UK agreement to a "passage plan" for the proposed tow is required in advance, and such agreement would depend on satisfactory conclusions following a risk assessment, including that of impact on the local environment.

Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on proposals to tow former US naval ships through the Pentland Firth en route to Teesside. [125689]

Mr. Jamieson: Proposals for such towage require prior UK agreement to enter the UK Pollution Control Zone.

Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the UK Administration will exercise its power to prevent the towing of former US naval ships thought to contain toxic chemicals through the Pentland Firth under article 19(2)(h) of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. [125690]


 
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Mr. Jamieson: Article 19(2)(h) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), refers to acts of "wilful and serious pollution" contrary to UNCLOS. It does not limit proposals for commercial towage, for which separate prior UK agreement is required to enter the UK Pollution Control Zone.

Property Prices (Heathrow Flight Path)

Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will conduct a review into the economic impact of Heathrow Airport on property prices for residential houses on the flight path; and if he will make a statement. [125824]

Mr. McNulty: House prices around Heathrow vary and are affected by many factors, as elsewhere. Both the economic benefits of the airport and the environmental disbenefits will affect property prices in a wider area than under the flight paths. There is already extensive worldwide literature on the effect of aircraft noise on house prices although the literature largely concerns day time noise and it is difficult to isolate aircraft noise (or any other single factor) as a discrete influence on house prices.

Ragwort

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contractual arrangements there are for the clearing of ragwort from highway land along (a) the A21, (b) the A259 and (c) other trunk roads in the Bexhill and Battle constituency; and what the cost has been in (i) the last financial year and (ii) this financial year to date. [126957]

Mr. Jamieson: I have asked the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Richard Bennett to Mr. Gregory Barker, dated 17 July 2003:


 
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News release

Pretty But Poisonous: Highways Agency Tackles Ragwort

1. The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other transport operators and with local authorities to integrate the trunk road network with the rest of England's roads and other forms of transport. More information is available at www.highways.gov.uk 2. Sections of the following route verges will be timetabled for treatment: A27, A249, M20, M23 3. Common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea L.) is one of the five injurious weeds specified in the Weeds Act 1959. Landowners have a duty of care to prevent it spreading. 4. Ragwort is normally a biennial (rosette—spring 1st year; flowering—July/August 2nd year). The rosette stage is the early stage of growth where the ragwort is at its most poisonous and has a dense rosette of leaves close to the ground. In the stem-flower stage, the plant grows between 30cm and 100cm high with clustered bright yellow flowers. 5. Each plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds with a 70% germination rate. Ragworts seeds can be domant in the soil for up to 20 years. 6. Equines and bovines are more susceptible to ragwort poisoning than other livestock. Little can be done for the animal once the symptoms appear. Young animals are more susceptible than mature animals. 7. Ragwort acts as a cumulative poison, eventually destroying the liver. A small intake of ragwort over a long period can be just as damaging as a large intake on a single occasion.


 
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Melese Glazer on 01306 878 110 melese.glazer@highways. gsi.gov.uk


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