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14 Dec 2005 : Column 2021W—continued
TRANSPORT
A21 Upgrade
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to hold further public consultations regarding the proposed A21 upgrade between Flimwell and Robertsbridge in East Sussex. [37527]
Dr. Ladyman: The Highways Agency will continue to consult with individuals, representative bodies and statutory bodies. Further public exhibitions will be held as the proposals are developed.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the public consultation held on 7 December, on the proposed A21 upgrade between Flimwell and Robertsbridge in East Sussex. [37529]
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Dr. Ladyman: I have asked the Highways Agency for details of the outcomes following the discussions that took place at Hurst Green Village Hall on 7 December and expect to receive these shortly.
Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on how many occasions since 1 January 2001 US-registered aircraft tail number (a) N44982, formerly N8068V and N379P, and (b) N313P operated in UK airspace; [34629]
(2) on how many occasions since 1 January 2001 US-registered aircraft tail number (a) N44982, formerly N8068V and N379P, and (b) N313P were provided with air traffic control services. [34630]
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Ms Buck [holding answer 12 December 2005]: This is an operational matter for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS). I have asked the chief executive of NATS to write to the right hon. and learned Member.
Biofuels
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Government have made of the environmental impact of the increased use of palm oil as a result of the Government's Renewable Fuel Obligation. [36938]
Dr. Ladyman: We have published a feasibility study and regulatory impact assessment for the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation which consider the environmental benefits and impact of biofuels in some detail. Both of these documents are available in the House Library and on the Department's website at:
Car Accidents (Young People)
Mr. Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) of 6 December 2005, Official Report, column 1118W, on car accidents (young people), what plans he has to improve the education environment for young drivers. [37304]
Dr. Ladyman: We aim to develop a more improved approach to training and testing. This will be based on research. To this end my Department has recently let two contracts. One is about improving the delivery of road safety education. The other is a review of pre-driver education, which will study the attitudes and influences on driving style that are developed at a young age and before any formal training is undertaken.
In addition the Cohort Study of Learner and Novice Drivers is looking at the methods used and experiences gained of those learning to drive and compares them to how the candidates performed in the practical driving test. The study also follows a sample of drivers for a 3-year period to analyse the experiences they have gained as novice drivers.
Two new projects are also about to be awarded. The Evaluation of the Driving Standards Agency Drivers' Record will investigate the extent of use of the Drivers' Record, and the influence it has on the level and nature of pre-test driver training and experience, and on driving test performance. The second new project concerns the Development of the Pass Plus Scheme for Newly Qualified Drivers, which will explore possible means of improving both the impact and uptake of Pass Plus.
Research continues on the content, delivery and recruitment to existing pre-test and post-test motorcycle training. The project, being conducted by TRL, is addressing issues such as key competencies and skills, whether training should vary according to bike type, how courses can attract riders and how the new practical test being introduced in 2008 will impact on current training courses.
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Harbour Commissioners
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when powers under section 15 of the Harbours Act 1964 to remove a Harbour Commissioner from office were last used; what the circumstances were in which these powers were used; and if he will make a statement. [36714]
Dr. Ladyman: In the past 30 years, the period for which the Department retains records, no Section 15 Orders have been made to remove a Harbour Commissioner from office.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued relating to (a) the conduct of Harbour Commissioners and (b) the practice to be followed on appointing new commissioners; if he will publish such guidance; and if he will make a statement. [36715]
Dr. Ladyman: Guidance to trust ports covering the appointment and conduct of Harbour Commissioners is issued in the form of our published document Modernising Trust Ports—A Guide to Good Governance" a copy of which is available in the Library and on the Department's website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_shipping/documents/divisionhomepage/032192.hcsp
Heavy Goods Vehicles
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there are plans to introduce retrospective measures to require heavy goods vehicles to fit blind spot mirrors or cameras. [37271]
Dr. Ladyman: We understand the European Commission is developing a proposal for a directive that would require the existing heavy vehicle fleet to be equipped retrospectively with mirrors (or cameras) offering the same vision capability as will be required of all new heavy vehicles entering into service after January 2007. The Commission has as yet not discussed this issue with member states so no details are available.
Highways Agency
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedure has to be followed to claim compensation from the Highways Agency after a compulsory purchase order. [37142]
Dr. Ladyman: Following the making of a compulsory purchase order, a person or persons, whose property has been included in that order, are served with a notice to treat. The notice confirms the extent of the land affected and invites those with an interest to make a claim for compensation. On receipt of a claim, the Highways Agency instructs its valuer to negotiate and agree compensation with the claimant and their surveyor.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Highways Agency spent on the Compulsory Purchase Order of Stage Cottage, Hurst Green, East Sussex; and how much it has spent on the property since. [37175]
Dr. Ladyman:
Stage Cottage was purchased in August 2005 by agreement for £350,000 under discretionary purchase terms. The property will be kept in management by the Highways Agency and let until the
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A21 Flimwell to Robertsbridge road scheme has been developed in detail. The property is currently being refurbished at a cost of about £22,000 in preparation for letting.
M1
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the M1 motorway was closed in Leicestershire on 5 December; on whose authority; what steps were taken to ensure the period of the closure was kept to a minimum; and if he will make a statement. [36712]
Dr. Ladyman: The M1 was closed southbound between Junctions 21 and 22 on 5 December from 9.45 am to 6.45 pm due to a serious road traffic accident involving five vehicles, including two HGVs and two vans. Leicestershire police closed the carriageway with assistance from the Highways Agency and its agents.
The length of closure was due to the severity of injuries and the fact that the vehicles involved were badly damaged and entangled, which increased the time of the recovery operation. The incident was classified by the police as a potential fatal scene, necessitating detailed investigation. The carriageway was reopened directly after the investigation was completed and the scene cleared.
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