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Departmental Equipment

Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) mobile phones, (b) lap top computers and (c) desk top computers there are within the Department; and what their cost to the Department was in 2004–05. [26532]

Ms Buck: The information for the Department and its agencies is as follows:

DfT HQ

The requested information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The following figures are estimates based on the available information.

	Number	Cost in 2004–05 (£)
Mobile phones	724	48,289
Lap top computers	778	151,219
Desk top computers	2,113	633,121.70

DSA

	Number	Cost in 2004–05 (£)
Mobile phones	222	41,523.29
Lap top computers	132	(1)—
Desk top computers	1,394	(1)—

⁽¹⁾ Information on the costs of lap top and desk top computers in 2004–05 is not available as the period covered the transition from one managed service contract to another. Such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.



DVLA

	Number	Cost in 2004–05 (£)
Mobile phones	452	34,521.86
Lap top computers	307	16,746.56
Desk top computers	8,668	89,863.64

Highways Agency

	Number	Cost in 2004–05 (£)
Mobile phones	1,066	233,056.90
Lap top computers	753	78,397.18
Desk top computers	(2)2,887	530,499.64

⁽²⁾ Includes 46 thin client terminals.



MCA

	Number	Cost in 2004–05 (£)
Mobile phones	474	142,246
Lap top computers	451	42,580
Desk top computers	857	16,020

 
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VCA

	Number	Cost in 2004–05 (£)
Mobile phones	58	1,747
Lap top computers	54	42,000
Desk top computers	56	30,000

VOSA

	Number	Cost in 2004–05 (£)
Mobile phones	1,079	357,008
Lap top computers	1,010	n/a
Desk top computers	1,240	n/a

n/a = not available
Notes:
1. The numbers of lap top and desk top computers were those in use at the end of March 2005.
2. It is not possible to determine the cost of lap top and desktop computers in 2004–05 as VOSA pay Atos Origin on a managed service basis, rather than for just the supply of equipment. Therefore, the equipment costs are wrapped up into a monthly charge for service provision (including all network costs, software, hardware, the helpdesk etc.).

Heavy Goods Vehicles

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many responses were received to the consultation on applications of conspicuity markings to heavy vehicles; and how many were (a) for and (b) against change. [30804]

Dr. Ladyman: We received 71 responses to the consultation, of which 55 supported the mandatory fitment of conspicuity markings. Seven responses were opposed and the remainder expressed no clear opinion.

Among those opposed were major trade bodies, who represent the views of members operating over 200,000 goods vehicles and so represent a significant level of opposition to mandatory conspicuity marking.

A note about responses to the consultation is in preparation and will be published shortly on the Department for Transport website.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 17th October 2005, Official Report, column 678W, on heavy goods vehicles, why the United Kingdom opposed the proposal made at the GRE Committee of the UNECE to make ECE 104 retro-reflective tape mandatory on the side and rear of heavy goods vehicles; and how many countries (a) supported and (b) opposed the United Kingdom's position. [30805]

Dr. Ladyman: We have been concerned that the mandatory use of retro-reflective marking tape will add additional burdens on the haulage industry associated with the cost of fitting and maintaining the tape. In light of this the UK proposed that fitment of the tape should be optional.

None of the other countries present at the meeting supported the UK position and in view of this the UK has agreed to the amendment of UNECE regulations to mandate the use of retro-reflective marking tape.
 
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Hybrid Cars

Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many hybrid petrol/electric cars have been sold in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [28848]

Dr. Ladyman: The following table shows the number of hybrid electric cars newly registered in the UK from January 2001 to September 2005 according to the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Agency database.

	Number of hybrid cars (petrol/electric)
2001	569
2002	283
2003	374
2004	1,569
2005 (to September)	4,061

Invalid Carriages

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the report of the Consultation on the Transport Review of Class 2 and Class 3 Powered Wheelchairs and Powered Scooters (Invalid Carriages); and if he will make a statement. [28635]

Ms Buck: The research into the use of these vehicles has been completed and we are considering the recommendations made in the final report and we hope to publish it before the end of this year.

Merseytram Services

Mrs. Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely impact of Merseytram Line 1 on regeneration in Merseyside. [26247]

Derek Twigg [holding answer 8 November 2005]: It is for scheme promoters to undertake a detailed assessment of the impact of their light rail scheme on regeneration, as part of their bid for major scheme funding. Merseytravel submitted its Economic Impact Report for Merseytram Line 1 in December 2004.

The Department considered that the promoters' assessment of regeneration and employment impacts had overstated the creation of additional jobs.

Ministerial Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent in each year from 1 May 1997 on ministerial travel arrangements, broken down by (a) provision and running costs of vehicular transport, (b) first class travel by rail, (c) standard class travel by rail, (d) first class travel by air, (e) club or equivalent class travel by air and (f) economy class travel by air. [27775]

Ms Buck: All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers
 
21 Nov 2005 : Column 1545W
 
costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information for the financial years 1995–96 to 2004–05. Information for 2005–06 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the current financial year.

The Department for Transport was formed on 29 May 2002 and gained an additional Minister in July 2003. Travel and subsistence costs incurred by Ministers and their private office staff when travelling in the United Kingdom during each financial year are as follows:

	£
29 May 2002 to 31 March 2003	22,311
1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004	47,880
1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005	51,840

Ministers use a variety of public transport services when undertaking departmental business. However, information about the mode and class of transport used by Ministers on departmental business is not held centrally and cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) has asked Roy Burke, Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) to write to the hon. Member with details of costs of ministerial vehicles provided to Departments in 2004–05. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.

For information for the financial years 2000–01 to 2003–04 I refer the hon. Member to the letters from the Chief Executive of the GCDA to the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow) dated 10 January 2005 and to the then hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Howard Flight) dated 13 September 2003. Copies of these letters are available in the Library.

Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list, for each year since 1995, the number of flights, including helicopter flights, taken by Ministers within his Department for UK and overseas visits; on how many occasions (a) charter flights were used and (b) first and club class tickets were obtained; and if he will indicate who accompanied the Ministers on each trip. [27811]

Ms Buck: The detailed information requested can not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

However, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The list indicates when non-scheduled flights were used, and shows how many Officials accompanied Ministers in those circumstances. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These report information for the financial years 1995–96 to 2004–05. Information for 2005–06 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the current financial year.
 
21 Nov 2005 : Column 1546W
 

All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code" and Travel by Ministers", copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

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