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17 Jul 2003 : Column 624W—continued
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Mark Tami:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the operating costs of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency were in each of the last
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five years; and how many staff it employed in each year. [125542]
Mr. Jamieson:
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency was formed on 1 April 2003 following a merger
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between the Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency and the Traffic Area Network division of the Department for Transport. Details of operating costs and staff numbers for the former organisations over the last five years are shown in the table.
Walking Strategy
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what progress he has made against the targets set in the 1997 walking strategy; [126548]
(2) what recent research he has conducted into the average annual distance walked by a UK (a) adult and (b) child in each of the last six years; [126549]
(3) if he will make a statement on the walking-related spending in the 10-year transport plan for each year of the plan; and what walking-related spending was allocated in the last six years of local transport plans. [126550]
Dr. Howells: My Department has no walking targets, but the National Travel Survey shows that the average distance walked in Great Britain each year by adults (16 years and over) and children (under 16 years) for the last six periods for which data are available is as follows:
| Adults (16+) | Children (under 16) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1994–96 | 197 | 208 |
| 1995–97 | 193 | 200 |
| 1996–98 | 191 | 201 |
| 1997–99 | 189 | 198 |
| 1998–2000 | 190 | 200 |
| 1999–2001 | 186 | 200 |
The National Travel Survey excludes walks of less than 50 yards and those that are away from the public highway unless both the surface is paved or tarred and there is unrestricted access.
The Government are providing very generous transport investment funds to local authorities—amounting to £19 billion over the 10-year plan period. However, we do not ring-fence funds specifically for walking schemes. The Government believe local authorities should be able take an integrated approach, using investment funds in the way that best suits local circumstances. Our approach to funding reflects this. Decisions about walking-related spending are therefore for local authorities. The Government require local authorities to plan better facilities for walkers, and report what they have delivered. We take this information into account in our decisions on overall funding allocations.
West Coast Main Line
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional charges Network Rail will make to express train operators for each express train path, following the upgrade of the west coast main line. [125753]
Dr. Howells: The rail regulator is currently conducting an interim review of Network Rail's track access charges payable by franchised passenger operators. As part of this he is considering the costs that Network Rail will incur and the scope for efficiency savings both in relation to the west coast route modernisation and the rest of the work that Network Rail has to undertake.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many extra passengers he estimates will be carried each day on the west coast mainline following the upgrade of the route. [125760]
Dr. Howells: The Strategic Rail Authority's plan for the west coast main line upgrade, published in June, envisages an increase in passengers of between 15 per cent. and 25 per cent. between London and Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.
Written Ministerial Statements
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002. [126616]
Mr. McNulty: In the period 29 October 2002 to 15 July 2003, the Department for Transport has made 47 written ministerial statements.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Hare Coursing
Mr. Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rules govern the import of live hares for coursing from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland; and what assessment he has made of compliance with the rules in 2002. [123749]
Mr. Pearson:
Hares are rabies susceptible animals, and as such, are covered by the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order (Northern Ireland) 1977.
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Under normal circumstances, there are no import restrictions on hares coming from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland.
However, there are two exceptions.
The first exception is the import of a hare from the Republic of Ireland which has previously been brought to the Republic of Ireland from a country other than GB, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Northern Ireland and has not been detained and isolated in quarantine for a period of at least six months before entering Northern Ireland. The second exception is where my Department has reason to believe that there is an outbreak of rabies in the Republic of Ireland.
In both cases, the importation of a hare is prohibited, except under and in accordance with, the conditions of a licence granted by the Department. The conditions would include the immediate detention and isolation in quarantine for a period of six months.
Neither of the exceptions arose during 2002.
Mental Health Review
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Mental Health Review will be (a) completed and (b) published; and if he will make a statement. [124695]
Angela Smith: In October 2002, DHSSPS initiated a wide-ranging independent review of the law, policy and service provision affecting people with a mental health problem or a learning disability. The review will involve a comprehensive evaluation of the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986, which includes provision for those with a learning disability. It will take into account recent policy and other developments here and in the European Union, and address how best to provide services to people with a mental health problem or a learning disability in accordance with the statutory equality obligations of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, with the Human Rights Act 1998, and to promote their social inclusion. The review will also address how to promote positive mental health in society.
The Mental Health and Learning Disability Review is therefore expected to take until mid-2005 to complete. It may be possible, however, to publish some of the recommendations during 2004.
North-South Bodies
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list (a) the names of those serving on each of the north-south bodies set up under the Belfast Agreement, (b) the terms and conditions of their appointments and (c) the rates of pay and allowances for each person. [123805]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The names and details of the terms of office of those currently serving on the Boards of the Trade and Business Development Body, the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission and the North/South Language Body, together with the Advisory Board of the Food Safety Promotion Board, were placed in the Library on 7 April 2003. The rates
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of remuneration payable to Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons and Board Members are detailed in the following table. Travelling expenses are reimbursed for attendance at meetings.
| £ | Euro | |
|---|---|---|
| Chairperson | 6,400 | 10,157.90 |
| Vice-chairperson | 5,200 | 8,253.30 |
| Member | 4,000 | 6,348.69 |
Note:
£ = €1.587
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