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16 Sept 2003 : Column 689W—continued

TRANSPORT

Air Terrorism (Electronic Countermeasures)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 7 January 2003, Official Report, column 98W, (1) on commercial aircraft terrorism, if he will make a statement about progress made in seeking specialist advice on fitting electronic countermeasures to UK civil aviation fleets over and above Goodrich Video Surveillance apparatus; [130286]

Mr. McNulty: The Department is engaged in continuing work with a number of parties on measures, including on-board electronic systems, for countering the threat from shoulder-launched weapons. Those parties include UK aircraft operators. It would not be appropriate on security grounds to disclose the progress of this work.

Aircraft Security

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the security risks posed by (a) glass bottles and (b) minor household items, with particular reference to nail files, aboard aircraft. [128736]

Mr. McNulty: As part of the heightened security measures introduced in September 2001, airports and airlines are required not to allow into an airport's Restricted Zone, or into the cabin of an aircraft, any item which could potentially be used as a weapon. The list of prohibited items, which was provided, is not exhaustive, and includes a requirement to remove from passengers any other article which the airport or airline reasonably consider might be used, or adapted, for causing injury. All of the measures in the National Aviation Security Programme are kept under permanent review.

Biofuels

Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to implement the EU guidelines for biofuel use in road transport of 2 per cent. use by the end of 2005 and 5.75 per cent. use by the end of 2010. [130423]

Dr. Howells: The Government intend to consult with key stakeholders on UK implementation of this legislation early next year. This consultation will cover the level of indicative targets for both 2005 and 2010.

Road Transport Fuels

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what percentage by weight of road transport fuel LPG/CNG has provided over the last 12 months; [129922]

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Mr. Jamieson: Figures supplied by HM Customs and Excise indicate that the percentage of all road transport fuel, by volume, of road fuel gases provided between July 2002 and June 2003 was 0.39 per cent.

The Government support the take-up of LPG and natural gas vehicles through both the fuel duty incentives for road fuel gases, which have been in place since 1995, and the grants, which have been available since, towards the purchase of LPG and natural gas vehicles, which are available through the PowerShift programme. In addition, discounts apply to alternatively fuelled cars under the carbon dioxide emissions based company car tax and graduated Vehicle Excise Duty regimes. As announced in Budget 2003, the Government have been consulting stakeholders on how best to ensure that future support for road fuel gases continues to reflect environmental and other policy objectives, with a view to announcing decisions in the 2003 Pre-Budget Report.

We recognise that biofuels also have a role to play in reducing the environmental impact of road transport. In recognition of these benefits, the Government have introduced a reduced rate of duty for biodiesel of 20p/l below that for conventional ULSD. Since introduction of this rate in July 2002, production of biodiesel has increased more than 10 fold to over two million litres a month. A similar incentive 20p/l in the rate for bioethanol is due to be introduced on 1 January 2005.

The Government intend to consult with all key stakeholders on UK implementation of the Biofuels Directive, which requires the UK to set indicative targets for the use of biofuels in road transport for both 2005 and 2010. Publication of the consultation paper is due in the first half of next year.

Highways Authority

Mr. Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he intends to take to amend or remove Highways Authority Performance Indicators BVPI 100 and BVPI 96. [129749]

Mr. Jamieson: BVPI 96 measures the condition of the carriageway on principal roads. BVPI 100 measures the duration of temporary traffic controls on traffic sensitive roads. A road may be defined as traffic sensitive at certain times of day only. Although temporary traffic controls or road closure may be necessary to carry out road repairs, BVPI 100 encourages authorities to plan these measures to take place outside traffic sensitive times, thereby minimising disruption to traffic.

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Low Emission Zones

Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consult hon. Members before he authorises the introduction of traffic low emission zones. [130190]

Dr. Howells: My Department is currently undertaking a public consultation exercise on proposals to change the regulations concerning Traffic Regulation Conditions (TRC) that the Traffic Commissioner can apply to registered local bus services in a particular area (outside London). This will cover, among other things, the power to specify minimum emission limits that vehicles affected by a TRC would have to meet.

The consultation document can be found on my Department's website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft localtrans/documents/page/dft localtra 023519.hcsp. The consultation period ends on 3 October.

Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) discussions and (b) representations he has had on the introduction of low emission zones; who was involved; and if he will make a statement on what was agreed. [130191]

Dr. Howells: We are aware of the consideration of Low Emission Zones (LEZ), as one way of reducing emissions in areas where there are air quality problems. The National Society for Clean Air (NSCA), together with the Association for London Government (ALG) and the Greater London Authority (GLA) are jointly investigating the possibility of introducing a London-wide LEZ. The London Low Emission Zone Feasibility Study—Phase II Final report has been published in July this year (available on website www.london-lez.org) and I understand that the findings of the study are being considered for further action. The NSCA consulted on a recommended standard for National Low Emission Zones in May. However I understand that further research will be necessary before an agreed standard may be announced.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the sites of special scientific interest in the ownership of his Department or its agencies. [129345]

Mr. McNulty: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is the owner of one site designated as being SSSI. This site is at Prawle Point in Devon.

The Highways Agency is the owner/part owner of 43 sites within the operational estate and two sites within the non-operational estate, designated as being SSSIs. The sites are as follows:

Operational estate:


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Non-operational estate:


To the best of our knowledge these are the only SSSI on the DfT estate.

Station Facilities

Mr. Ivan Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action the Strategic Rail Authority is taking to ensure that train operating companies improve (a) train station facilities and (b) access for disabled people. [129582]

Mr. McNulty: Those bidding for new and replacement franchises will be asked to price various options, including improved station facilities, which the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) could consider taking forward at any time during the life of the franchise. On 27 August 2003, the SRA announced a programme of investment of £25 million in Modern Facilities at Stations. This will provide enhanced facilities at 68 stations. The SRA's Code of Practice on Train and Station Services for Disabled Passengers sets out standards on accessibility. Train and station operators have been asked to review their Disabled Peoples Protection Policies to identify and prioritise accessibility improvements.

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