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5 Nov 2003 : Column 640W—continued

TRANSPORT

Airline Competition

Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the fairness of competition between airlines operating in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [136181]

Mr. McNulty: Fairness of competition between airlines is a matter for the UK competition authorities and, insofar as there is a potential effect on trade between EU member states, the European Commission.

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Aviation Landing Charges

Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to equalise aviation landing charges throughout the UK; and if he will make a statement. [136180]

Mr. McNulty: There are no plans because the Government do not set landing charges. These are set by the airport operator and, in the case of the designated airports, the CAA sets a price cap to airport charges in its capacity as economic regulator.

Bus Safety

Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) bus drivers and (b) bus passengers were injured as a result of items being thrown at buses in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [136184]

Mr. Jamieson: The information is not available. The Department collects information on bus drivers assaulted by members of the public, assaults on passengers on buses and vandalism to vehicles, but this is not sufficiently detailed to determine how many injuries were as a result of objects thrown at buses.

Central Railway

Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will decide on the Central Railway project. [136250]

Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce his decision on the Central Railway proposals; and if he will make a statement. [136592]

Mr. McNulty: A decision will be made as soon as is practicable.

Entry Clearance

Mr. Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in respect of applications for entry clearance from working holiday makers, identical requirements and conditions are applied for applicants from each Commonwealth country. [133077]

Mr. Mullin: I have been asked to reply.

Yes.

Heathrow Airport

Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department will take to instigate levels of nitrogen dioxide consistently within EU limits by 2010 at Heathrow Airport. [135294]

Mr. McNulty: Heathrow Airport lies within an Air Quality Management Area declared by adjacent local authorities. Various emissions sources may contribute to potential NO2 exceedances in 2010. In the vicinity of Heathrow Airport mitigation strategies could apply to aircraft, airside and road traffic sources, although general 'background' levels of NO2 are also a major contributor (as elsewhere). BAA plc is required to produce and review an Action Plan to minimise emissions from Heathrow Airport as a condition of the planning permission for the Fifth Terminal.

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Kyoto Protocol

Mr. Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government are taking in (a) European and (b) other international fora to encourage other countries to include international aviation in the Kyoto Agreement. [136252]

Mr. McNulty: Emissions from international aviation are not included in national targets under the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008–12). However, the Kyoto Protocol does require contracting parties to work through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation. The Government are therefore working hard in ICAO to engage other countries in the climate change debate and to reduce emissions from aviation. Discussion on action beyond 2008–12 will begin in 2005 when the Government will work closely with all Parties and argue strongly that the framework for global action after 2012 should address international aviation emissions.

Mersey Tunnels

Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to establish a public inquiry into the proposed increase in the Mersey Tunnels toll. [136081]

Dr. Howells: Yes. A date for when the inquiry will start will be announced in the near future.

Motorcycle Speeds

Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions has he had with Triumph about motorcycles capable of 200mph; and what suggestions he made to the firm about manufacturing such a motorcycle. [136086]

Mr. Jamieson: I have had no such discussions.

Passenger Transport (Tyne and Wear)

Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with transport operators and regulators in Tyne and Wear concerning (a) integrated passenger transport networks and (b) the future of the Tyne and Wear Metro. [136030]

Dr. Howells: Officials from the Transport Team at the Government Office for the North East have meetings, on an approximately quarterly basis, with officers at Nexus (Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive). Discussions cover the full range of Nexus' work in developing and promoting an integrated passenger transport network in Tyne and Wear, including buses, rail, metro, ferry and concessionary fares. In addition Government Office officials attend regular meetings chaired by the North East Assembly, attended by representatives of bus and rail operators providing services in Tyne and Wear.

Officials from Government Office for the North East and Department for Transport have also had several meetings during the past year with Nexus concerning its proposals for the future development of the Tyne and Wear Metro and the possibility of tram and bus based

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extensions to the system. The most recent meeting was held on 21 October 2003. I understand that Nexus intends to submit an outline business case for funding for these developments in 2004 and officials have provided advice to Nexus on their potential submission.

River Tyne (Dredging)

Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the locations on the River Tyne that are the subject of discussions between his Department and the Port of Tyne Authority concerning the dredging and disposal of contaminated sediment. [136027]

Dr. Howells: The locations on the River Tyne that are the subject of the application from the Port of Tyne Authority to DEFRA for a licence for the dredging and sea disposal of contaminated sediment, submitted in February 2003, are referenced in the application as:


On-going discussions on this issue are primarily between the Port of Tyne Authority and DEFRA.

Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what alternative disposal routes his Department has identified with the Port of Tyne Authority for contaminated sediment dredged from the River Tyne. [136028]

Dr. Howells: It is not for the Department for Transport to determine alternative disposal routes for contaminated sediment dredged from the River Tyne. The Port of Tyne Authority made an application, in February 2003, to DEFRA for a licence for the dredging and sea disposal of contaminated sediment from various locations on the River Tyne. Discussions on matters of detail relating to this application are on-going and, primarily, for the Port Authority and DEFRA.

Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the negotiations between the Port of Tyne Authority and his Department concerning the dredging of the river to reach a conclusion. [136029]

Dr. Howells: Negotiations concerning the dredging of the River Tyne are primarily for the Port of Tyne Authority and DEFRA in connection with the Port Authority's application for a licence, submitted to DEFRA in February 2003, for the dredging and sea disposal of contaminated sediment from various locations on the river. Discussions between the Port Authority and the Department for Transport about this matter will continue until such time as a satisfactory conclusion is reached. I am aware that further information is being sought from the Port of Tyne Authority as part of their on-going discussions with DEFRA and that a final decision cannot be reached

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until such time as all the facts are to hand. It is not possible at this stage to say when this might be but the need to move to an early resolution is fully recognised.

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