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24 Mar 2005 : Column 920W—continued
Police Stations
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his plans are for (a) opening hours and (b) allocation of manpower to police stations at (i) Toome, (ii) Randalstown, (iii) Crumlin and (iv) Templepatrick in each year from 2005 to 2009. [223170]
Mr. Pearson: The current opening hours in Antrim DCU are as follows:
Crumlin—Monday 3 pm to 5 pm, Tuesday 5 pm to 7 pm, Wednesday 5 pm to 7 pm, Friday 5 pm to 7 pm and Saturday 5 pm to 7 pm.
The allocation of resources and opening hours of all stations in the DCU are kept under constant review by the DCU Commander.
Renewable Energy
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of electricity in Northern Ireland is produced from renewable sources. [224004]
Mr. Gardiner: An up-to-date estimate of the percentage of total electricity which will be supplied in Northern Ireland from indigenous renewable sources in 2004–05 is 3.2 per cent. If imports of electricity obtained from renewable sources are included this figure rises to 5.5 per cent.
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in reaching targets regarding the provision of renewable energy in Northern Ireland. [224005]
Mr. Gardiner: Northern Ireland's single renewable energy target is that, by 2012, 12 per cent. of all electricity supplied to Northern Ireland consumers will come from indigenous renewable generation. Annual targets have not been set, however in the past year total electricity supplied from renewable energy sources in Northern Ireland has increased from 2.7 per cent. to 3.2 per cent.
If imports of electricity obtained from renewable sources are included this figure rises to 5.5 per cent.
24 Mar 2005 : Column 921W
Roads
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to consult local farmers and residents between Randalstown and Toome on the proposed building of a new motorway to replace the existing A road. [223169]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. David Burnside, dated March 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about what steps he has taken to consult local farmers and residents between Randalstown and Toome on the proposed building of a new motorway to replace the existing A road. I have been asked to reply as these issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
The A6 Randalstown to Toome Road forms part of the Key Transport Corridor linking Belfast and Londonderry. In recognition of its strategic importance, Roads Service is proposing to replace the existing road with a high standard dual carriageway from the end of the M22, west of Randalstown, to Castledawson, incorporating the recently completed Toome Bypass.
As part of this process, Roads Service held a public exhibition to inform local farmers and residents of progress on the planning of the scheme. The purpose of the public exhibition was to obtain comments on the alternative alignments that have been developed. Members of the public, whose property may be affected by these alignments, were individually invited to visit the exhibition and to express their views or preferences and the exhibition was advertised in the press. All visitors had the opportunity to record their comments at the exhibition, by completing a questionnaire, or by writing to Roads Service at a later date.
Following the public exhibition, Roads Service officials attended meetings with local representatives and landowners, to receive further comments and, where possible, to address their concerns.
Roads Service officials are now considering all comments received during this consultation process and will take these into account in the selection of the preferred alignment. If necessary, a further public exhibition will be held before a single preferred alignment is proposed. The preferred route alignment will then, of course, be subject to the statutory procedures process, which gives further opportunity for public comment.
RUC Garden of Remembrance
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are in place for (a) foreign politicians, (b) hon. Members from Great Britain and (c) representatives of the media visiting the Province to be shown the RUC Garden of Remembrance at the Police Service of Northern Ireland headquarters at Knock, Belfast. [223683]
Mr. Pearson: The RUC GC Garden is open to anyone who wishes to visit it. All visits to the garden are arranged on an appointment basis through the RUC GC Foundation which has responsibility for the garden. Visitors are met and escorted around the garden by one of the many volunteer guides.
Although the foundation does not keep specific records of who has visited the garden, I can confirm that since it opened in September 2003 almost 7,000 people have visited it, including a number of Members of Parliament.
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SCOTLAND
Dangerous Goods (Transportation)
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) who is responsible for policing the regulations relating to dangerous goods safety advisers in Scotland; [223134]
(2) which Government departments in Scotland are responsible for (a) the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Safety Advisors) Regulations 1999, as amended and (b) the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 568). [223136]
Mrs. McGuire [holding answer 21 March 2005]: Policy responsibility on transport of dangerous goods in Scotland is reserved and rests with the Secretary of State for Transport.
The Transport of Dangerous Goods (Safety Advisors) Regulations 1999 were revoked by the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004.
The 2004 Regulations (SI 2004/568) were drafted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after consultation with a wide range of organisations in Scotland and elsewhere. The Regulations are the policy responsibility of the Department for Transport. Competent authority functions are primarily shared between the Department for Transport and the HSE.
The HSE are the lead agency for enforcement of the legislation relating to dangerous goods safety advisors. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and the police also have enforcement responsibilities under a Memorandum of Understanding with the HSE.
Fishing Industry
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Scottish Executive Minister for Environment and Rural Development to discuss prospects for the Scottish fishing industry. [223468]
Mrs. McGuire: My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with Scottish Ministers about a wide range of matters.
Office of Civil Nuclear Security
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State who is responsible for the Office of Civil Nuclear Security in Scotland; and whether the Office has field inspectors based solely in Scotland. [223135]
Mrs. McGuire [holding answer 21 March 2005]: The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is responsible for nuclear security in the UK, and this is carried out on her behalf by the Director of Civil Nuclear Security.
Office for Civil Nuclear Security inspectors are allocated responsibility for sites according to the security need; there are none dedicated solely to Scotland.
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Surplus Assets Sales
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department sold any surplus stock on the eBay auction website, in each year since 2000–01. [220944]
Mrs. McGuire: The Scotland Office has sold no surplus stock on the eBay auction website.
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the value of sales of surplus assets from his Department was in each year since 2000–01. [220966]
Mrs. McGuire: The value of sales of surplus Scotland Office assets since 2000–01 was £567.
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