House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 28 Jan 2004 (pt 4)

28 Jan 2004 : Column 364W—continued

Transport (Wales)

Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with representatives of the National Assembly for Wales regarding the expansion of the road network in Wales. [151751]

Mr. Jamieson: None. The expansion of the motorway trunk road network in Wales is entirely a matter for the National Assembly for Wales who have devolved responsibility for these issues.

Vehicle Inspections

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles have been stopped for roadside checks by the Vehicles Inspectorate in London in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many (a) were found to have vehicle faults and (b) were motor cars and other non-commercial vehicles. [151073]

Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 26 January 2004]: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (formerly the Vehicle Inspectorate) conducts its enforcement activity within a network of 23 enforcement areas covering England, Scotland and Wales. Enforcement Area 15 (Metropolitan) covers the majority of London boroughs. The number of vehicles stopped at the roadside by the Vehicle Inspectorate in Enforcement Area 15 and the percentage found to have roadworthiness faults are shown in the following tables. Figures are only available for the last four years.

Spot checks carried out by the Vehicle Inspectorate (VOSA) between 1999–2000 and 2002–03 in Enforcement Area 15 (Metropolitan Area)

Number of vehicles checked

Vehicle category 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03

HGV motor vehicles⁽³⁾ 1,580 1,769 1,435 3,011

HGV trailers 284 337 170 358

HGV emissions 409 413 356 345

PSV vehicles⁽³⁾ 480 898 851 547

PSV emissions 293 246 332 252

Percentage

Prohibition rate⁽⁴⁾

Immediate prohibitions⁽⁵⁾ Delayed prohibitions⁽⁶⁾

Vehicle category 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03

HGV motor vehicles⁽³⁾ 11.4 10.6 17.2 13.4 12.5 12.0 20.6 14.4

HGV trailers 10.6 8.0 7.6 11.2 12.3 11.6 12.9 16.8

HGV emissions 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.7 0.6 1.2

PSV vehicles⁽³⁾ 4.6 5.1 5.3 7.1 2.3 4.8 7.3 6.4

PSV emissions 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.8

	Number of vehicles checked
Vehicle category	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
HGV motor vehicles⁽³⁾	1,580	1,769	1,435	3,011
HGV trailers	284	337	170	358
HGV emissions	409	413	356	345
PSV vehicles⁽³⁾	480	898	851	547
PSV emissions	293	246	332	252

	Prohibition rate⁽⁴⁾
	Immediate prohibitions⁽⁵⁾	Delayed prohibitions⁽⁶⁾
Vehicle category	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
HGV motor vehicles⁽³⁾	11.4	10.6	17.2	13.4	12.5	12.0	20.6	14.4
HGV trailers	10.6	8.0	7.6	11.2	12.3	11.6	12.9	16.8
HGV emissions	0.0	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.7	0.7	0.6	1.2
PSV vehicles⁽³⁾	4.6	5.1	5.3	7.1	2.3	4.8	7.3	6.4
PSV emissions	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.0	0.3	0.8

⁽³⁾ Excludes emissions only checks, but includes foreign vehicles.

⁽⁴⁾ Only one prohibition notice is issued per vehicle although it may contain a list of defects/offences where more than one has been found. The most serious defect/offence determines whether an immediate or delayed prohibition is issued.

⁽⁵⁾ Immediate prohibition rate relates to all vehicles (including foreign vehicles).

⁽⁶⁾ Delayed prohibition rate excludes checks on foreign vehicles. The Foreign Vehicles Act does not provide for the issue of delayed prohibitions to foreign vehicles.

28 Jan 2004 : Column 365W

Results of light vehicle roadside roadworthiness checks

Number examined

Vehicle category 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03

Cars 249 134 128 113

Taxis and private hire cars 49 32 109 109

Non-testable vehicles 30 32 49 32

Light good vehicles 422 559 1,004 827

Percentage

Prohibition rate

Immediate prohibitions Delayed prohibitions

Vehicle category 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03

Cars 14.5 11.9 42.2 39.8 8.8 3.7 7.0 1.8

Taxis and private hire cars 12.2 0.0 38.5 44.0 6.1 15.6 0.9 5.5

Non-testable vehicles 23.3 21.9 30.6 34.4 6.7 15.6 22.4 15.6

Light good vehicles 19.4 18.1 15.9 22.6 11.6 10.0 10.5 9.7

Light vehicle spot checks for emissions

Number examined

Vehicle category 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03

Cars 2,147 1,525 1,972 2,291

Taxis and private hire cars 63 17 26 37

Light good vehicles 306 310 657 645

Percentage

Prohibition rate

Petrol Diesel

Vehicle category 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03

Cars 5.8 8.9 10.8 9.9 0.5 1.8 0.8 0.6

Taxis and private hire cars 7.9 0.0 3.8 0.0 0.0 5.9 7.7 8.1

Light good vehicles 2.0 0.3 0.5 3.9 5.6 1.9 4.0 1.7

	Number examined
Vehicle category	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
Cars	249	134	128	113
Taxis and private hire cars	49	32	109	109
Non-testable vehicles	30	32	49	32
Light good vehicles	422	559	1,004	827

	Prohibition rate
	Immediate prohibitions	Delayed prohibitions
Vehicle category	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
Cars	14.5	11.9	42.2	39.8	8.8	3.7	7.0	1.8
Taxis and private hire cars	12.2	0.0	38.5	44.0	6.1	15.6	0.9	5.5
Non-testable vehicles	23.3	21.9	30.6	34.4	6.7	15.6	22.4	15.6
Light good vehicles	19.4	18.1	15.9	22.6	11.6	10.0	10.5	9.7

	Number examined
Vehicle category	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
Cars	2,147	1,525	1,972	2,291
Taxis and private hire cars	63	17	26	37
Light good vehicles	306	310	657	645

	Prohibition rate
	Petrol	Diesel
Vehicle category	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
Cars	5.8	8.9	10.8	9.9	0.5	1.8	0.8	0.6
Taxis and private hire cars	7.9	0.0	3.8	0.0	0.0	5.9	7.7	8.1
Light good vehicles	2.0	0.3	0.5	3.9	5.6	1.9	4.0	1.7

Vehicle Excise Duty

Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people benefit from the Vehicle Excise Duty exemption for people with the mobility component for disability living allowance; and what is the average amount of money they will save in 2003–04. [150449]

Mr. Jamieson: The latest available figures show that there are 1,548,512 people in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance. Of this figure, 790,000 claim the exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

The financial value of a VED exemption is dependent on the age, engine size and carbon dioxide emissions level of a vehicle. This can be within the range of £75 to £165 per annum.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Mr. Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress British forces have made in restricting the poppy harvest in Afghanistan. [150125]

Mr. Ingram: The United Kingdom has a comprehensive strategy to assist Afghanistan to end its opium trade. While our armed forces are not directly involved in the

28 Jan 2004 : Column 366W

eradication of the opium poppy crop, their deployments with the International Security Assistance Force and the Provincial Reconstruction Team, and our support for local security forces, all help to contribute towards the counter-narcotics programmes of civilian law enforcement and development agencies. They also help the Afghans themselves to create the structures through which they can implement more effectively President Karzai's commitment to deal with both opium farming and trafficking in his country.

Bearskin

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2003, Official Report, column 463W, on bearskins, what species of bear's pelt is used to make the bearskin caps; whether this species is classified as endangered within the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species; what steps the Department takes to ensure the taking of bears is a sustainable practice; and if he will make a statement. [150147]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 26 January 2004]: Bearskin caps are made from the fur of the American black bear. This is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as a species not currently rare or endangered, but which could become so if trade is not regulated, and all exports of American black bear

28 Jan 2004 : Column 367W

products from Canada must be accompanied by a CITES export license. CITES species in Canada are managed through the Canadian Wildlife Service and the American black bear is currently classified as not at risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.

Bugaled Briezh

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military vessel manoevures took place in the vicinity of the Bugaled Briezh between 12.00 noon and 14.00 on 15 January. [150989]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 26 January 2004]: Only two naval vessels were in the immediate vicinity of the Bugaled Briezh—HNLMS Dolfijn and HMS Tyne. HNLMS Dolfijn was surfaced and transitting to the start position of an Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise. She was some 11 nautical miles away at 1252Z when a French fishing vessel reported the capsize of Bugaled Briezh. HMS Tyne was on Fishery Protection duties and was 22 nautical miles north-east of the trawler at this time. She then proceeded to the scene and was tasked by the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre to co-ordinate the search.

Equipment Programmes

Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he is making of equipment programmes in relation to their key war fighting capabilities. [147274]

Mr. Ingram: The Defence White Paper (Cm 6041) noted the need to ensure that defence resources are directed at those capabilities which are most appropriate for future operations. The Department's annual planning round involves a thorough examination of defence costs and capabilities, and includes an assessment of the contribution of equipment programmes in meeting the policy set out in the White Paper.

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