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6 Dec 2005 : Column 1118W—continued

Civil Service Relocation (Scotland)

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many departmental civil service jobs have been relocated to Scotland in each year since 2001. [32257]

Ms Buck [holding answer 28 November 2005]: The Department was formed in May 2002. Since then no civil service jobs have been relocated to Scotland.
 
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Eco-driving

Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of proposals to (a) make driving instructors attend training for eco-driving and (b) teach and test learner drivers on eco-driving. [33421]

Dr. Ladyman: On 1 October, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) introduced an assessment of eco-safe driving skills as part of the driving ability test taken by those seeking to qualify as Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs). We believe it is important that all drivers should acquire these basic skills at the earliest opportunity, ideally while they are learning to drive.

When DSA has evaluated the effectiveness of this initiative, we will consider whether an assessment of eco-safe driving skills should form part of the driving theory and practical tests.

Infrastructure Projects

Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the suitability of the London underground public-private partnership as a model for future infrastructure projects. [34473]

Ms Buck: The London Underground Public Private Partnerships were unique, as the contracts provided for the extensive rehabilitation and replacement of existing assets over 30 years. The National Audit Office published two reports on the London Underground PPPs in 2004, which identified the lessons that could be learnt for other private finance initiatives or public private partnerships, which the Government accepted.

Kent Franchise

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what effect the recent award of the Integrated Kent Franchise will have on rail services between Bexhill and London Victoria. [34575]

Derek Twigg: Services from Bexhill to London Victoria are operated by Southern and so are unaffected by the award of the Integrated Kent Franchise.

M6 Toll Road

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the construction cost was of the M6 toll road; and what the total receipts have been to date. [34343]

Dr. Ladyman: The construction costs awarded by Midland Expressway Limited (MEL), the concessionaire for the M6 Toll, to its contractor at tender stage were £485.5 million. The overall costs are a matter for MEL, but I understand that the development cost incurred was in the region of £900 million, including construction, the cost of land, interest on loans, consultancy, management and legal fees.

Information on receipts is not held by the Department for Transport. Requests for this information should be made direct to MEL.
 
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Merseytravel

Mrs. Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1542W, on Merseytram services, if he will publish the evidence on which he based his statement on the promoters' assessment of regeneration and employment impacts; and when he discussed this issue with the promoters. [33466]

Derek Twigg [holding answer 1 December 2005]: The Department's view on the regeneration impacts of Merseytram was based on the analysis presented by Merseytravel in their Economic Impact Report. Merseytravel has declined to permit the Department to publish the Economic Impact Report.

The Department carried out an assessment of Merseytravel's analysis, and will make that available in the House Library, and on the Department's website.

MV Derbyshire/MV Tribulus

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that all information regarding the sinking of (a) the MV Derbyshire and (b) the MV Tribulus has been examined. [34915]

Dr. Ladyman: All information on the sinking of the MV Derbyshire has been examined in close co-operation with the families of those who lost their lives.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will shortly be publishing a Marine Information Note which describes the history of the Derbyshire surveys, the principal findings of the re-opened formal investigation, and records the research programmes undertaken by the DfT and the MCA into seakeeping and wave loads and the Formal Safety Assessment studies on bulk carriers. It also describes the process that led to the introduction of revised standards for bulk carriers by the International Maritime Organization following the sinking of the MV Derbyshire.

In addition, arrangements are being made to transfer information on the sinking of the MV Derbyshire from the DFT to the National Archives.

The Tribulus, owned by Shell and registered with the Isle of Man, was involved in an incident in Bantry Bay in 1990 in Irish coastal waters. The matter was not therefore for the UK Government.

Railways

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to change the composition of Network Rail. [34153]

Derek Twigg: Network Rail is a private sector company limited by guarantee, whose board is accountable to its members drawn from the rail industry and other stakeholder groups. Any change to the composition of the board is a matter for the company and its members. Any change to membership is governed by its Articles of Association and company law.
 
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Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish (a) the final regional planning assessment for the North East and (b) the consultants' final report on the review of the Northern Rail franchise; and whether their recommendations will be available to the 2006 rail timetable planning conference in February 2006. [32615]

Derek Twigg: I am currently considering the draft of the North East England Rail Regional Planning Assessment with a view to publication in due course. The RPA is an assessment rather than a commitment to certain courses of action. Work on the review of the Northern Rail franchise is proceeding, and I expect to announce proposals for consultation early next year. No decision has been made as to whether any service change proposals relating to the review will be tabled at the 2006 timetable conference.

Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will recommence rail passenger partnership funding for new passenger services; whether such services can be considered under (a) the local transport plan major scheme procedure and (b) a similar procedure; and if he will make a statement. [32614]

Derek Twigg: There is no plan to re-instate the Rail Passenger Partnership funding programme for new passenger services. Funding in support of such services can be provided by devolved administrations, Passenger Transport Executives and local authorities and, should capital expenditure be required, through the Local Transport Plan Major Schemes procedure, or through the new Network Rail Discretionary Fund. Proposals will need to be supported by a fully costed business case.
 
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Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 11 October 2005, Official Report, column 242W, on rail services, what the timetable is for (a) the publication of the results of the South West Trains route utilisation strategy and (b) public consultation; and if he will make a statement. [34850]

Derek Twigg: The final South West main line route utilisation strategy is due to be published by Network Rail in spring 2006. The period for public consultation runs until 6 January 2006.

Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the public subsidy to the railway industry (a) was in 1997 and (b) has been in 2005 to date. [34472]

Derek Twigg: Government subsidy for the railways was £1.8 billion in 1996–97. This year the Government will be spending £4.5 billion on the railway.

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff work in DFT Rail. [34152]

Derek Twigg: There are 327 people working in Department for Transport Rail.

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