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8 Dec 2004 : Column 515W—continued
TRANSPORT
Age Discrimination
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is towards age discrimination. [202422]
Charlotte Atkins: The Department's commitment not to discriminate unfairly on the grounds of age is set out clearly in its equal opportunities policy.
We are undertaking a study of the implications for the Department of the forthcoming legislation on age discrimination. Following the study we will prepare a programme of diversity/equality training for managers, and guidance addressing age discrimination.
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We have taken steps to introduce flexibility around retirement age: members of the Department below the Senior Civil Service now have the option to remain in work until 65.
Bus Shelters
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on the (a) replacement and (b) repair of damaged bus shelters in each of the last three years. [202772]
Charlotte Atkins: The Department for Transport does not collect the information requested. The maintenance of bus shelters is a matter for local transport authorities and their private sector partners.
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new bus shelters have been built in each year since 1996–97; how many shelters were upgraded in each year; and how many have been removed during that time. [202773]
Charlotte Atkins: The Department for Transport does not collect information of the sort requested. An answer could, therefore, be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Consultants
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost to his Department was for the use of external consultants in each of the last two years. [202427]
Charlotte Atkins:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Under-Secretary of State on 21 May 2004, Official Report, column 1231W, to the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink).
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Departmental Advertising
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in which Muslim newspapers the Department advertises; and what kinds of advertising the Department places in Muslim newspapers. [201691]
Charlotte Atkins: The Department's main publicity campaign is the THINK! road safety campaign, which is promoted primarily through TV and radio advertising. We have placed very little press advertising to support THINK! since the Department was formed in 2002 and did not target Muslim newspapers specifically.
Departmental Mobile Phones
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many departmental mobile telephones were used by Ministers, special advisers and officials in his Department and its predecessors in each year since 1997; at what cost; how many such telephones were lost or stolen in each year since 1997; and what the replacement costs were in each case. [202169]
Charlotte Atkins [holding answer 6 December 2004]: The Department for Transport was created on 29 May 2002. It is not possible to provide figures before this date.
The number of mobile phones used by Ministers and special advisers is as follows:
| Ministers | Special advisers | |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 | 2 |
| 2003 | 4 | 2 |
| 2004 | 4 | 2 |
As the Department does not maintain central records of mobile phones it is not possible to provide further information except at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Telephones
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the use of telephones in his Department by members of staff for their personal use for (i) domestic calls and (ii) international calls; and if he will make a statement. [201079]
Charlotte Atkins: Staff have guidance setting out their responsibilities not to misuse the telephone, e-mail and internet systems. In order to ensure that the systems are not abused and that the Department's security is not compromised, the Department may monitor, calls from time to time.
Access to all international numbers is only granted to staff who have a business need to make such international calls. Calls to premium cost networks such as premium rate numbers and some foreign mobile networks are barred completely.
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John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures have been taken to ensure the telephones in his Department are not used by staff for making unauthorised personal calls to international numbers. [201080]
Charlotte Atkins: Access to all international numbers is only granted to staff who have a business need to make such international calls. Daily call logging reports are provided which highlight the longest and highest cost calls. As a result, some staff have been made to refund the cost of high cost personal calls. Calls to premium cost networks, such as premium rate numbers and some foreign mobile networks, are barred completely.
Driving Tests
Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average length of time is between receipt of an application for a (a) theory driving test and (b) practical driving test and the date of the test in (i) Southwark, (ii) Greater London and (iii) England; and if he will make a statement. [203392]
Mr. Jamieson: The information is as follows:
| Centre/area | Average time between booking and test (A) | Average time between preferred date and test (B) |
|---|---|---|
| Southwark | 25 | 7 |
| London and south east area | 20 | 4 |
| England | 18 | 2 |
Many candidates prefer to book their theory test some time in advance, as the above data illustrates. Therefore, the average time between booking date and test (shown in column (A)) does not represent the length of time candidates must wait before they may take a test. The average waiting time is more accurately reflected by measuring the number of days between appointment date requested and appointed date allocated (column (B)).
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) does not analyse data for Greater London as a discrete area. Figures given, therefore, relate to the London and south east area.
| Centre/area | Average waiting time (weeks) |
|---|---|
| Hither Green DTC | 10 |
| South Norwood DTC | 11 |
| London and south east area | . 10.4 |
| Great Britain | 7.5 |
There is no practical driving test centre (DTC) at Southwark. The nearest test centres are located at Hither Green and South Norwood. DSA does not analyse data for Greater London as a discrete area. Figures given, therefore, relate to the London and south east area. Data for practical tests is not readily available for England as distinct from other countries in Great Britain. DSA has a target to maintain a national average waiting time for car practical tests of six weeks and is seeking to reduce the current figure to target.
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Lifeline Flights
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the areas in the UK that should benefit from public service obligations for lifeline flights. [202683]
Charlotte Atkins: The Government have recently consulted with stakeholders on the interpretation of the criteria outlined in the European Regulation governing Public Service Obligations (PSOs). We aim to publish guidance next year on the interpretation of those criteria in establishing PSOs to London airports.
Motorways
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the (a) lane closure and (b) roadworks on the M62 between junctions 35 and 38 will finish. [201876]
Mr. Jamieson: The roadworks on the M62 between junctions 35 and 38 are currently being carried out using a contraflow system. The westbound carriageway is closed and traffic is being directed onto the eastbound carriageway.
In the week commencing 6 December there will be a lane two and three closure eastbound in place followed by a westbound lane three closure. The roadworks are due for completion on 10 December, subject to weather conditions.
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the first motorway picnic area to be operative under the provisions of clause 40 of the Road Safety Bill. [203081]
Mr. Jamieson: Once the Road Safety Bill has completed its passage through Parliament, the Secretary of State for Transport will have the authority under Clause 40 to establish a motorway rest area. It is expected that this could be by July 2005. The first picnic area could then be operative, subject to obtaining the appropriate planning consents and the availability of funding, by summer 2008.
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorway services are operating; and what plans the Government has to increase the number. [203075]
Mr. Jamieson:
There are currently 69 motorway service areas operating in England. Since 1992 it has been Government policy that the private sector should be responsible for bringing forward proposals for motorway service stations through the planning system.
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Consequently, any increase in the number of motorway service areas would be through commercial development.
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