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Sustainable Food Procurement

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department has received from the Scottish Executive regarding the sustainable food procurement initiative. [193715]

Alun Michael: Defra officials keep officials of the Scottish Executive and the other devolved Administrations informed of progress on the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative and they provide reciprocal information. We are learning from each other's efforts.

TRANSPORT

Speed Cameras

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had on the location of fixed speed cameras; and if he will make a statement. [192217]

Mr. Jamieson: My Department will shortly issue the "Handbook of Rules and Guidance for the national safety camera programme for England and Wales 2005–06", revising and updating the previous handbook, including the rules and criteria for the location of speed camera sites. Copies will be placed in the Library. The new handbook has been prepared in consultation with the police, local authorities and other agencies involved in the safety camera programme—including the members of the Motorists Forum and the Department's Road Safety Advisory Panel, which bring together the full range of motoring, road safety and other interest groups.

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue his Department received from the four Welsh police forces from speeding fines levied by them in the last year for which figures are available. [192222]

Mr. Jamieson: During 2002–03, the last year for which figures are available, the amount of conditional offer fixed penalty fines relating to speed and red light offences detected in Wales under the national safety camera programme, which is overseen by my Department, was £9,873,600. This money is received by magistrates court committees and passed to the Department of Constitutional Affairs. In 2002–03 £7,274,334 was paid to the safety camera partnerships in relation to the installation and operation of safety cameras at approved sites. The remainder of the money accrues, like other fines, to the Consolidated Fund. None of the money is received by my Department.

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average revenue received from police forces in England from speeding fines imposed by them was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [192223]

Mr. Jamieson: During the financial year 2002–03, the latest year for which figures are available, the amount of conditional offer fixed penalty fines relating to speed and red light safety offences detected in England under the national safety camera programme, which is overseen
 
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by my Department, was £56,906,820. Of this amount, £44,608,933 was paid to the safety camera partnerships in relation to the installation and operation of safety cameras at approved sites.

A358

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to make a statement on the Government's plans to upgrade the A358 road in Somerset; and if he will make a statement. [192125]

Mr. Jamieson: Following the outcome of the recent Spending Review, the Secretary of State is currently reviewing funding allocations across departmental programmes, including road schemes such as those following from the South West Area Multi Modal Study (SWARMMS). The upgrading of the A358 in Somerset is one of two options recommended by that study. The Department aims to make a decision as soon as possible.

Air Navigation Charging

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has consulted the European Regions Airline Association on the proposed reforms to the charging system for airlines for the use of air navigation purposes. [193774R]

Charlotte Atkins: The Department has set up a Stakeholder Forum specifically to discuss issues arising from European legislation that will impact on airspace users. While the European regions Airline Association has not been directly involved, all UK aviation stakeholders have been encouraged to participate. This Stakeholder Forum has met three times during which the charging issue has been given significant coverage. The Department convened a meeting with stakeholders, on 12 August, specifically to discuss the Single European Sky (SES) proposals for a common charging scheme.

The European regions Airline Association is a member of the SES Industry Consultation Body formed to provide advice to the European Commission on the implementation of the SES.

Aviation (Emissions)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to increase awareness among the population about the link between the aviation industry, carbon emissions and climate change. [193083]

Charlotte Atkins: Both "The Future of Air Transport" and "Future of Transport" White Papers draw attention to aviation's contribution to climate change, and the importance of ensuring that the aviation sector addresses the problem seriously.

"The Future of Transport" White Paper recognises that we will need to broaden the debate to ensure that transport makes its full contribution to reducing total CO ₂ emissions. The review of the climate change programme will, over the next few months, consider how carbon savings can best be delivered from transport and across other sectors. A consultation document on the review of the climate change programme is due to be published in November, which will help raise awareness of these issues.
 
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Driving Test

Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce measures to ensure that learner drivers have experience of night-time driving before taking the practical driving test. [193831]

Mr. Jamieson: We encourage all learners to experience night-time driving before taking the practical driving test. We support this policy by issuing a copy of the Driver's Record logbook to learners with their provisional licence. This covers all the skills needed to drive safely, including driving in darkness. The record enables learners, their instructors and others who are helping them, to understand what they need to learn and to monitor their progress.

The Department does not consider that further statutory regulation of new drivers is justified at present. We believe the way forward is to improve the education environment for learners so that they have access to a more consistent and better standard of training.

The Department's Driving Standards Agency also operates the Pass-Plus scheme for newly qualified drivers. This voluntary post-test training programme includes night-time driving.

Eurocontrol

Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings he has held with UK Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association representatives to discuss the effect of proposed Eurocontrol charges on general and light aviation; and if he will make a statement. [193034]

Charlotte Atkins: Department for Transport officials have met with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) representatives on several occasions. The Department has set up a Stakeholder Forum specifically to discuss issues arising from European legislation that will impact on airspace users. This Stakeholder Forum has met three times during which the charging issue has been given significant coverage. In addition, the Department convened a meeting with stakeholders, on 12 August, specifically to discuss the Single European Sky proposals for a common charging scheme. Representatives from AOPA have participated in these meetings. The Department has also engaged directly with the general aviation user organisations, including AOPA both in London and in Brussels, to discuss the on-going developments of proposed Single European Sky Implementing Rules and the impact this legislation is likely to have on them.

Hampshire Roads

Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of (a) motorway and (b) trunk road in Hampshire are classified as being in disrepair. [193498]

Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 25 October 2004]: There are no motorways or trunk roads in Hampshire in a state of disrepair. All are currently in a serviceable condition.
 
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