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Written Answers to Questions

Tuesday 8 November 2005

CABINET OFFICE

Better Regulation Agenda

25. Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress in removing unnecessary burdens on small businesses through the better regulation agenda; [25390]

26. Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress in removing unnecessary burdens on small businesses through the better regulation agenda. [25391]

Mr. Jim Murphy: We are making significant progress in implementing the package of reforms set out in the 2005 Budget.

We have launched a major exercise to measure and then reduce the administrative burdens faced by business and we are on track with a major rationalisation of regulators. These changes will benefit small business.

Ministerial Visit

27. Mr. Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will visit the Wyre Estuary in Lancaster and Wyre constituency to discuss the administration of the Duchy's lands there. [25392]

Mr. Jim Murphy: In the light of recent events and pending the appointment of a new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster I am unable to commit to such a visit.

However, I am aware that the hon. Member has arranged to meet with the Chief Executive of the Duchy of Lancaster in London on 17 November.

Special Advisers

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many special advisers are employed by the Government; and if he will make a statement. [25388]

Mr. Jim Murphy: There are currently 80 special advisers in post.

TRANSPORT

Transport Infrastructure (Shoreham)

10. Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the transport infrastructure improvements required in and around Adur in West Sussex to facilitate the proposed expansion of facilities at Shoreham airport and Shoreham harbour. [25403]

 
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Ms Buck: Any proposals to expand Shoreham airport or harbour would be for the owners of those facilities to bring forward, alongside, as appropriate, proposals to address associated landside transport issues.

Regional Airports

11. Mr. McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on Government support for regional airports. [25404]

Mr. Darling: The great majority of airports in the UK are operated on a commercial basis, but the Air Transport White Paper makes clear there may be a case for limited public funding to support small airports operated by local authorities and those in objective 1 and 2 areas. We have facilitated the use of route development funds and fifth freedom rights to attract new services at regional airports, and development agencies can provide support where it would help to deliver regional economic objectives.

A43

12. Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on plans to upgrade the A43 Kettering to Northampton road. [25405]

Dr. Ladyman: Any plans to upgrade the A43 between Kettering and Northampton will be for Northamptonshire county council, as local highway authority, to consider.

Aircraft Pollution

13. Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce pollution caused by aircraft. [25406]

Ms Buck: The balanced strategy set out in The Future of Air Transport White Paper required that we did more to reduce and mitigate the environmental impacts of air transport. It included a range of measures at national and international level to address noise, local air quality and climate change issues. These are supplemented by specific environmental controls and appropriate mitigation action at individual airports.

Roadside Workers

14. Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to reduce the number of traffic-related deaths of roadside workers; and if he will make a statement. [25407]

Dr. Ladyman: I have been discussing with the Highways Agency, it's contractors and stakeholders at the highest level, proposals to bring about a step change in the approach to health and safety for road workers to achieve a lasting reduction in the risks for this vulnerable group.

M4

15. Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars per day used junction 16 of the M4 in the last year for which figures are available; and what his estimate is of the capacity of the junction. [25408]

Dr. Ladyman: During 2004, on average 24,700 cars per day used junction 16 of the M4 (that is they turned on or off the motorway at this junction).
 
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A specific study would be required to determine the absolute capacity, however, peak hour congestion problems indicate that this junction is running at or above capacity at certain times of the day.

Rail Network (East Midlands)

17. David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the regional rail network in the East Midlands. [25410]

Derek Twigg: The most recent assessment of the regional rail network in the East Midlands was made as part of the SRA Midland Mainline/East Midlands Route Utilisation Strategy which was published in March 2004. This work reviewed the usage of existing services and made recommendations around their future development.

Rail Services

18. Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage better rail services between Shropshire and London. [25411]

Derek Twigg: The Department is currently examining the business case for direct rail services between Shrewsbury, Telford and London. The work is being carried out in conjunction with local authorities in the area and other interested bodies.

19. Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure reliable train services during the autumn and winter months. [25412]

Derek Twigg: Network Rail and train operators have measures in place to address the operational risks presented by severe weather in the autumn and winter. The details are an operational matter for Network Rail.

Sustainable Communities Plan

20. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what planning assessments have been made of the transport capacity of the Sustainable Communities Plan areas. [25413]

Ms Buck: The Milton Keynes South Midlands sub-regional spatial strategy was published on 17 March 2005. This provided the area with a framework for delivery of its spatial strategy including an assessment of transport capacity issues and requirements.

The draft spatial strategy for the East of England which takes in London/Stansted/Cambridge/Peterborough growth area and parts of the Thames Gateway is current being tested through its examination in public. This draft contains a regional transport strategy.

A similar planning process will follow in the rest of the south-east which takes in the Kent element of Thames Gateway and the Ashford growth area.

A5120

Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the congestion on the A5120 in the vicinity of Junction 12 of the M1 motorway; [25425]

(2) what plans he has to improve traffic flows on the A5120 at Junction 12 of the M1 motorway. [25427]

 
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Dr. Ladyman: Several sources of information have been used to determine existing traffic flows and vehicle movements at Junction 12; these include travel surveys, vehicle origin/destination data, and several vehicle surveys undertaken from 2003–04. This information has been used in traffic modelling work, which will forecast future traffic flows. The A5120 is the responsibility of Bedfordshire county council and we have no information about congestion in the vicinity of junction 12. However further studies will be undertaken as the M1 widening junctions 10–13 scheme is developed.

Proposals to widen the M1 motorway between Junctions 10 and 13 (including improvements to junctions 11,12 and 13) were displayed at public consultation exhibitions from November 2004 to January 2005. A preferred route announcement for this scheme is planned for later this year.

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