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4 Nov 2003 : Column 540W—continued
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding the Government have contributed to the World Health Organisation's research into deep vein thrombosis; and what progress has been made in the research. [135477]
Mr. McNulty: To date, the Government have contributed approximately £400,000 to the WHO research project. We expect our total contribution to be in excess of £1.1 million. Epidemiological studies are being carried out in the Netherlands: two at the Leiden University Medical Centre and one at the Amsterdam Medical Centre. Clinical and physiopathological studies are being carried out in the UK.
At the Leiden centre, work is well advanced on the cohort study among business travellers, following a successful pilot study of the employees of an international company in Switzerland. The proposed methodology for the case-control study among frequent travellers was also piloted. However, for technical reasons an alternative methodology has been proposed, which I understand the Scientific Executive Committee responsible for the research protocols has approved in principle. At the Amsterdam centre, following extensive planning and preparation, the first test of the travel and non-travel immobility study will start shortly. This will comprise an eight-hour flight before, during and after which blood samples from volunteer passengers will be drawn for examination. Further tests will be carried out
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on the same volunteers to assess their clinical response to eight hours immobility, without travel, and eight hours engaged in normal activities.
The other stream of the research, examining the effects of hypobaria and hypoxia on the risk of deep vein thrombosis, is already under way under the auspices of Leicester University. Hypobaric chamber tests are being carried out at the aviation medical facilities at RAF Henlow to examine the effects of reduced atmospheric pressure on the cardio-vascular systems of volunteers seated for eight hours.
The World Health Organisation is due to publish the results of the research at the end of 2004 or early 2005.
Departmental Energy Use
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much (a) electricity and (b) other energy his Department has used in each year since 1997 (i) in total and (ii) per square metre; what the projected use is for each of the following years for which forecasts are made; what plans he has to reduce usage; and if he will make a statement. [135059]
Mr. McNulty: In respect of (a) and (b) I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw) on 3 November 2003, Official Report, columns 403–08W.
Energy management is delegated to local energy managers who are responsible for assessing usage and tailoring procurement decisions and awareness campaigns accordingly.
The Department is committed in its Greening Operations Policy Statement to reducing energy usage. The Department will communicate with staff and contractors about environmental policies and best practice and continue with office equipment 'switch off' and other energy awareness campaigns.
Airports Consultation
Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the report of the Inspector of the Terminal 5 Inquiry at Heathrow is included as part of the consultation into Future Development of Air Transport in the UK; [135291]
- (2) if he will uphold the recommendations of the Inspector for the Heathrow Terminal 5 Inquiry in the forthcoming Aviation White Paper. [135292]
Mr. McNulty: In his decision of 20 November 2001 on the Heathrow Terminal 5 planning application, the then Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions said that matters about the future of Heathrow airport (other than his decision on Terminal 5) would be for the review of airports policy and this would take account of the Inquiry Inspector's comments.
Paragraph 7.2 of "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East" consultation referred to the approval for Terminal 5 at Heathrow.
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Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether nitrogen dioxide is assessed as a relevant pollutant in section 7.29 of the Government's consultation paper The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom. [135293]
M5 (Roadworks)
Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) current and (b) projected roadworks on the M5 motorway between Bristol and Tiverton; and how long each section of work is expected to take. [135423]
Mr. Jamieson: I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Stephen Hickey, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Richard Bennett to Mr Adrian Flook, dated 4 November 2003:
- I am writing on behalf of Stephen Mickey, who has been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the current and projected roadworks on the M5 motorway
- The Highways Agency has a four-year rolling programme of works. This includes resurfacing (including overlay of concrete roads), the upgrade of signs and safety fence installations well as improvements to reduce congestion. Those works due to begin in this financial year are listed in Table 1. Those due to start in the next financial year are still subject to decisions on funding and prioritisation before a list can be provided.
| Scheme title and location | Approximate works duration |
|---|---|
| Works currently undertaken | |
| M5 Junction 20–21 Resurfacing | Eight weeks |
| Works to be undertaken in 2003–04 | |
| M5 Junction 26–27 Concrete Resurfacing | 13 weeks (starts March 04) |
| M5 Signing Upgrade | Rolling Programme |
| M5 Junction 19 Park and Ride Signing | Four weeks |
Motorcycling
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the safety proposals of the Government Advisory Group for Motorcycling; and if he will make a statement; [135880]
- (2) what plans he has to introduce safety-related legislation regarding the use of motorised two wheelers; and if he will make a statement; [135881]
(3) what plans he has to promote motorcycles as an environmentally friendly alternative to cars; and if he will make a statement. [135882]
Mr. Jamieson: The Advisory Group on Motorcycling, which I chair, has been considering a range of issues related to the role of motorcycling, including safety and environmental performance. The Advisory Group is not due to report until next year, following which the Government will determine its strategy for motorcycling. It is too early to say what Government policy will include, as it would be inappropriate to pre-empt the findings of the Advisory Group.
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Public Transport (Safety and Security)
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action the Government is taking to increase the (a) security and (b) safety of public transport in London. [135383]
Mr. McNulty: The Government fully support the British Transport Police (BTP) who as the police force for London's railways and London Underground are an integral part of the city's anti-terrorism policing strategy. There is very close liaison and co-operation between BTP and the rail industry, Transport For London (TfL), Government departments, the Metropolitan Police and other emergency services at all levels. The Health & Safety Executive, as rail regulator, also work closely with London Underground and the national rail operators on safety related issues.
In addition, TfL is part of a joint initiative with the Metropolitan police—the Transport Policing Initiative, which is aimed particularly at increasing safety and security on London's bus services.
The Secretary of State for Transport also issues the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) with directions and guidance, which require the SRA to encourage train operators to participate in both the Secure Stations and Secure Car Park schemes, which award accreditation when specified standards of design and management are reached. Further to this, the Modern Facilities at Stations programme will provide CCTV at some of London's stations.
Rail Traffic Congestion (Birmingham New Street)
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of rail traffic congestion at and around Birmingham New Street station on the performance of the national rail network. [135373]
Mr. McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has developed a 'Capacity Utilisation Policy' aimed at delivering the most efficient use of the current network. Individual 'Route Utilisation Strategies' (RUS) will now be developed. The SRA intends to consult on the RUS for the West Midlands in Spring 2004. The outcomes are expected to include improved capacity and performance.
The SRA has also announced a new approach to the long term planning of the railway network through Regional Planning Assessments (RPAs). These will form the basis on which the development of Britain's railway is planned over the medium to longer term (5–20 years). The provisional date for the publication of the West Midlands RPA is Autumn 2004.
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