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6 Dec 2005 : Column 1125W—continued
Traffic Flow Forecasts
Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what retrospective analysis has been undertaken of the accuracy of the Highways Agency's traffic flow forecasts on (a) motorways, (b) A roads and (c) other roads. [34074]
Dr. Ladyman: The Highways Agency retrospectively analyses the accuracy of the traffic flow forecasts for all improvement schemes in the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPIs). On motorways, A roads and other roads where the forecasts have indicated that significant traffic flow changes were likely, the forecast flows are compared with the flows measured one and five years after opening.
Traffic Management
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to issue statutory guidance under section 87 of the Traffic Management Act 2004; and what the reason is for the time taken in so doing. [34013]
Ms Buck: The Department is currently working on regulations and statutory guidance on civil parking enforcement under parts 6 and 7 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. This follows a review of the existing system of decriminalised parking enforcement which has been undertaken with the help of key industry stakeholders. We intend to consult on draft parking regulations and statutory guidance in spring 2006, with a view to issuing final regulations and guidance in early 2007. Our work on civil parking enforcement will be followed by regulations and statutory guidance on the civil enforcement of bus lanes and moving traffic offences.
Vehicle Registrations
Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) motorcycles, (b) cars, (c) vans, (d) lorries and (e) other vehicles were registered to owners in (i) Kettering, (ii) Northamptonshire and (iii) England in (A) 2004, (B) 2001, (C) 1997, (D) 1992, (E) 1987, (F) 1983, (G) 1979 and (H) 1975. [34094]
Dr. Ladyman:
For 1997, 2001 and 2004 the information requested is as follows:
6 Dec 2005 : Column 1126W
Prior to 1993, neither body type nor regionalised information is available. However, the total licensed GB stock at the end of each of the requested years is as follows:
| Number of registered vehicles | |
|---|---|
| 1975 | 16,511,000 |
| 1979 | 18,616,000 |
| 1983 | 20,209,000 |
| 1987 | 22,152,000 |
| 1992 | 24,577,000 |
| 1997 | 26,974,000 |
| 2001 | 25,126,000 |
| 2004 | 27,028,000 |
CABINET OFFICE
Standards in Public Life
23. Mr. Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the Department's role in monitoring standards in public life. [34455]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office promotes standards that ensure good governance, including adherence to ministerial and civil service codes.
e-Government Programme
24. Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress of the e-Government programme. [34456]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Government recently launched our transformation Government strategy enabled by IT.
Maximising the opportunities provided by IT to make public services increasingly personal and responsive to the needs of customers. The strategy is available at www.coi.gov.uk.
6 Dec 2005 : Column 1127W
Government Regulation
26. Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to reduce the level of Government regulation. [34458]
Mr. Jim Murphy: We are on track to deliver the radical programme of regulatory reform set out in the March 2005 Budget and the better regulation action plan published in May 2005.
We have consulted on proposals for a Bill for better regulation that will create a powerful tool to enable wide scale regulatory reform, begun a major exercise to measure and then reduce administrative burdens faced by business, launched a new web-based portal so that business and other stakeholders can submit proposals for simplification and are on track to rationalise the number of regulators in the public and private sectors.
Ministerial Visits
27. Mr. Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he next intends to visit Duchy lands in Lancaster and Wyre constituency. [34459]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Pending the appointment of a new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster I am unable to commit to such a visit.
Admiralty Arch
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the cost to public funds of official residences at Admiralty Arch were in 2004–05; and who the occupants are. [34356]
Mr. Jim Murphy: There are no official residencies at Admiralty Arch.
Civil Contingency Secretariat
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what matters the Civil Contingency Secretariat has discussed recently. [34691]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Civil Contingencies Secretariat co-ordinates work to improve the United Kingdom's ability to respond to and recover from emergencies. As part of that role, the Secretariat considers the full range of risks that the UK faces and any necessary emergency preparedness, response and recovery measures. It carries out this work in discussion with a wide range of partners from both inside and outside Government.
Civil Service Nurseries
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the running costs of nurseries for civil service staff were in 2004–05. [34374]
Mr. Jim Murphy:
The Cabinet Office does not hold central expenditure figures on the costs to public funds of nurseries for civil service staff. A number of Departments and agencies support employees' access to child care and in doing so, the civil service shows it is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, supporting a diverse work force and helping staff achieve a better balance between their home and work responsibilities.
6 Dec 2005 : Column 1128W
Damages
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster further to the answer of 14 November 2005, Official Report, column 963W, on damages, what the basis was of each of the claims; and if he will make a statement. [34397]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The basis of each of the four injury claims settled by the Department during 2004–05 was as follows:
1. A personal injury claim for damages of £65,629.30 was in respect of an accident that occurred on an outside training activity arranged by the National School of Government at Sunningdale Park.
2. A personal injury claim for damages of £6,258.70 was in respect of an accident that occurred at the Emergency Planning College, Easingwold.
3. A personal injury claim for damages of £2,125.00 was in respect of an accident that occurred at 22–26 Whitehall.
4. A personal injury claim for damages of £700.64 was in respect of an accident that occurred at 70 Whitehall.
In all cases, the amount of damages was arrived at following, and in accordance with legal advice from the Treasury Solicitor.
Departmental Assets
Mike Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 14 November 2005, Official Report, column 963W, on departmental assets, if he will make a statement on the nature of the five items of art and antique furniture referred to; and what the estimated value is of (a) each item and (b) each of the freehold properties referred to. [33746]
Mr. Jim Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 50W.
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