| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
10 May 2004 : Column 11W—continued
Air Safety
Mr. Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of rocket-assisted parachutes in improving aircraft safety. [170168]
Mr. McNulty: Since September 2003, responsibility for the safety regulation of most aircraft and aircraft products lies with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) except for various smaller or specialist aircraft such as microlights which remain the responsibility of national aviation authorities.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recognises the potential safety benefits of ballistic parachutes in otherwise potentially catastrophic accident situations. The authority introduced an amendment to the UK Design Requirements for Microlights in 1999 allowing for the installation of ballistic parachutes in such aeroplanes. Approval was on the basis that this did not introduce any additional hazard during normal conditions of flight.
EASA will include an assessment of an installed ballistic parachute system when investigating aircraft for the issue of a type Certificate. We understand that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the installation and use of a ballistic parachute in the Cirus SR20 light aeroplane and that this aircraft is now the subject of an application for approval in Europe.
Coastguard Station, Tynemouth
Mr. Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the former coastguard station at Tynemouth. [170409]
Mr. Caborn: I have been asked to reply.
As part of a general audit of its property portfolio, English Heritage has been reviewing the operation of Tynemouth Priory. They will shortly be carrying out an options appraisal on the future use of the former coastguard station within the Priory grounds. The views of the local community will be taken into account in this appraisal.
Departmental Expenditure
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his latest estimate is of the amount spent by his Department on official entertainment in each year from 1996–97 to 2004–05. [169104]
10 May 2004 : Column 12W
Mr. McNulty: The costs of entertainment incurred were:
| £000 | |
|---|---|
| 1996–97 | (2)31 |
| 2002–03 | (2)24 |
| 2003–04 | (2)16 |
(2) Department for Transport
For the current-financial year (2004–05) it is forecast that the Department for Transport's costs will be approximately £15,000.
From 1997–98 to 2001–02 transport formed part of the DETR and DTLR. Transport specific information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Procurement
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Department over the last five years is of British manufacture. [170812]
Mr. McNulty: The Department for Transport was formed 29 May 2002 since when all DfT procured crockery is manufactured in the UK, all cutlery is manufactured abroad in various countries, and all glassware is manufactured in France.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to source all sea bass used in catering outlets for which his Department is responsible from hand-line fishermen rather than pair trawlers. [167535]
Mr. McNulty: Defra supports the sourcing of sea bass from sustainable fisheries and handlining, as a relatively low impact method of fishing, can play a part in ensuring fisheries remain sustainable. However, the last report in 2003 by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas on sea bass advised that the level of exploitation of the stock at that time was sustainable and did not recommend closure of the offshore pair trawl fishery. There are currently no restrictions at a UK or Community level on the method of fishing that can be used to target bass. In addition, to address the dolphin bycatch problem associated with the pair trawl fishery, Defra-funded trials of a separate grid device to reduce dolphin bycatch are currently taking place, with the co-operation of the fishing industry.
In these circumstances, I do not believe that recommending a specific source of supply for bass could be justified at this stage.
10 May 2004 : Column 13W
Green Transport Schemes
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the research evidence produced by studies made by the Department on the potential land value benefits of development within easy access of a railway station. [168798]
Mr. McNulty: The Department contributed to the Jubilee Line Extension Impact S Study carried out for TfL by the University of Westminster. As part of that study the views of local agents on the impact of the JLE on the property market were sought and a general review of the commercial and residential market along the line was performed. The property report and the overall summary report for the JLE Impact Study will be released in May 2004.
The Department also contributed to a research project by ODPM and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on "Property Values and Public Transport Investment". The main objective of the study was the development of a suitable methodology for the estimation of the impact of public transport investment on property values. RICS published the report on Stage I, which was a literature review, as 'Land Value and Public Transport: Stage 1—Summary of findings' in October 2002 and plan to publish the Stage 2 report 'Land value and public transport: Stage two—Summary of findings' on 25 May.
Omega Site (Warrington)
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had on providing public transport links to the Omega site in Warrington as it is developed. [171018]
Mr. McNulty: The Highways Agency, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, has been in discussions regarding the transport implications of the Omega site on the strategic highways network. The applicants and the borough council will be considering the public transport implications as part of the planning process.
Railways
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ask Network Rail to launch an urgent inquiry into track quality between Swindon and Paddington. [169332]
Mr. McNulty: This is an operational matter for Network Rail. However, Network Rail advises me that it is already undertaking a comprehensive programme to manage and monitor the track quality in this area and, at the same time, is investing to upgrade the track.
Network Rail has liaised closely with the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate over those sections of poorer quality track, which are being monitored though an enhanced regime of inspections. It is investing in maintenance of the track, and switches and crossings (S&C) sites have been receiving additional attention from heavy maintenance gangs. There is also an on-going extensive programme of track and S&C renewals.
10 May 2004 : Column 14W
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with which stakeholders he has held direct discussions in connection with his review of the structure and organisation of the railways. [171213]
Mr. McNulty: Ministers and officials in the Department of Transport have had discussions with a wide range of people and organisations in the course the current review of the structure and organisation of the rail industry.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the decision of Network Rail to postpone the installation of a radio system for drivers until 2015. [168372]
Mr. McNulty: Network Rail advise me that they are currently implementing a new system for drivers known as the Global System for Mobile Communications for Railways (GSM-R). Its phased introduction is due for completion in 2013.
The installation work has already commenced in Strathclyde. GSM-R will be implemented on all high-speed lines by 2006 and the majority of the GSM-R upgrade will be completed by 2008–09.
The original timetable envisaged completion by 2008. The new time scales and expenditure profile reflect the outcome of the Rail Regulator's Interim Review and are believed to be realistic and deliverable.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies of the reports on the Central Railway project prepared for him by the Strategic Rail Authority. [171282]
Mr. McNulty [holding answer 6 May 2004]: The Strategic Rail Authority's report took the form of a letter to Ministers from the SRA Chairman. The letter constitutes advice to Ministers. It is not the practice to make available such advice.
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how often he meets officials of the Strategic Rail Authority to discuss improvements to the national rail network. [171479]
Mr. McNulty: Ministerial colleagues and I have very frequent meetings with the Strategic Rail Authority.
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the Department's role was in the formulation of the Route Utilisation Strategy (Part One) for the East Midlands published in March by the Strategic Rail Authority; [171504]
(2) what assessment he has made of the Strategic Rail Authority's Route Utilisation Strategy (Part One) for the East Midlands. [171506]
Mr. McNulty:
The role of the Department in formulating the Strategic Rail Authority's (SRA) Route Utilisation Strategies is to ensure that the SRA's approach is consistent with broader Government policy, is in the best interests of the taxpayer and is in accordance with expected resources. The framework informing and underpinning all Route Utilisation Strategies was set out in the SRA's Network Utilisation Strategy, published in June 2003. The detail of individual Route Utilisation Strategies is a matter for the SRA.
10 May 2004 : Column 15W
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the profit levels of train leasing companies. [171514]
Mr. McNulty: The profits earned by the rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs) are set out in their filed accounts. Their operations are subject to the scrutiny of the competition authorities in the usual way.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |