Mr. Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will extend the automatic qualifying criteria for the Blue Badge scheme to include recipients of attendance allowance. [195714]
Charlotte Atkins: There was no support during the last review of the scheme to extend it to this group of people and we have no plans to do so.
The scheme is designed primarily to assist people with severe difficulty in walking which is reflected in the eligibility criteria for a badge. This includes an automatic qualifying criterion for those in receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component of disability living allowance on the basis that receipt of that benefit indicates that the applicant has considerable difficulty in walking.
Mr. Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the publication of research into the eligibility of parents of children with severe autistic conditions for inclusion in the Blue Badge Scheme, following the Department's review of the scheme. [194051]
Charlotte Atkins: The research we will be undertaking will consider the mobility needs of a number of groups of disabled people who are currently excluded from the scheme. I can confirm that this research will include the needs of both adults and children with autistic conditions. This is one of three research projects we are taking forward as a direct result of the review of the scheme. We are finalising the work specifications and intend to go out to tender later this year for all three. On this particular project we would expect to have results and recommendations in the course of next year.
Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the consequences for the Royal Navy's (a) search and rescue and (b) coastal patrol roles of the creation of a European Coastguard. [197572]
Mr. Jamieson: None, since there is no prospect of a proposal to establish a European coastguard being made or accepted.
Ms Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement on the dualling of the A30 Goss Moors in Cornwall. [195099]
Mr. Jamieson: The Department is in the process of reviewing the timing and relative priorities of all major schemes in the Highways Agency's trunk road programme in the light of this year's spending review. I hope to announce the outcome shortly.
Mr. Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the surplus from user charges for the Dartford Crossing was spent in transport projects in Essex and Kent in 200304. [197543]
Mr. Jamieson: All income from charging at the Dartford Crossing is taken into account in the funding for the 10 year plan.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each month of 2004; and if he will make a statement. [195451]
Charlotte Atkins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 11 November 2004, Official Report, column 857W.
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the staff of the Department in (a) 2002 and (b) 2003 were people with disabilities. [196130]
Charlotte Atkins: I refer to the answer given on 9 November 2004, Official Report, column 620W, by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office.
Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to require Chinese visitors to the UK to have British driving licences before being allowed to drive in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [198086]
Mr. Jamieson: The requirements for driving in the UK are the same for all holders of licences issued in countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including China. In order to be able to drive here, all individuals must hold a valid driving licence or International Driving Permit (IDP) showing the relevant driving entitlement.
New residents may drive small vehicles for 12 months from the date they became resident. To ensure continuous driving entitlement, a British driving licence must be obtained before this period elapses.
Visitors may drive all vehicles shown on their licence for 12 months from the date they last entered the country. They cannot drive beyond that period and are unable to obtain a British licence because they are not resident.
The concessionary 12-month period in which holders of valid foreign driving licences can drive in this country is a long-standing arrangement. It was introduced for residents to allow sufficient time to become familiar with
15 Nov 2004 : Column 939W
the road and traffic conditions here to take a driving test, and for visitors, in the interest of tourism and commerce.
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent contracts for maintenance work the (a) Trinity House Lighthouse Service, (b) Northern Lighthouse Board and (c) Commissioners for Irish Lights have obtained from other bodies; and if he will list contracts (i) entered into and (ii) pending, broken down by financial value. [197335]
Mr. Jamieson: The following tables provide information on recent and pending contracts, grouped by type of customer:
Contracts entered into since 1 April 2004 | Contract bids pending | |
---|---|---|
Local authorities | 4 | 4 |
Utility companies | 20 | 8 |
Other private sector | 43 | |
Total | 67 | 12 |
Contracts entered into since 1 April 2004 | Contract bids pending since 1 April 2004 | |
---|---|---|
Local authorities | 11 | |
Utility companies | 4 | |
Other private sector | 42 | |
Total | 57 | 0 |
Paul Farrelly:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many responses were received to the document, M6: giving motorists a choicea consultation proposal, from (a) individuals, (b) motoring and transport lobbying groups, (c) businesses and commercial associations, (d) environmental groups, (e) councils, parishes and other local or regional authorities and (f) honourable Members; how many were received in total; and how many in each category were (i) in favour of development of the option of an M6 Expressway, (ii) against the development of such an option and (iii) neither for nor against this option; [197455]
15 Nov 2004 : Column 940W
(2) when he proposes to announce (a) the results of and (b) his response to the consultation on the document M6: giving motorists a choice; [197460]
(3) what methodology he proposes to use in giving weight to each of the responses received to the consultation M6: giving motorists a choice, before announcing his decision regarding further development of the option of an M6 expressway between Birmingham and Manchester. [197461]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 11 November 2004]: By the closing date for this consultation exercise we had received approximately 5,260 responses as well as a number of petitions amounting to around 3,000 signatures. The responses are currently being analysed. Details of the responses received will be included in our published response to the consultation. We will publish our response once we have reached our conclusion in the light of the analysis of the responses. The methodology we adopt to analyse the responses will be explained as part of this published response.
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a list of those responding to his consultation M6: giving motorists a choice. [197782]
Mr. Jamieson: The responses are currently being analysed. Details of the responses received will be included in our published response to the consultation.
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