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14 Dec 2005 : Column 2025W—continued
Railways
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the operation of section 110 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003; [37518]
(2) what assessment he has made of the number of local authorities which have not complied with the provisions of section 110 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003. [37519]
Dr. Ladyman: Section 110 of the Act imposes no duty of compliance on local authorities. It amends an exemption from seat belt wearing by goods vehicle users to apply only when travelling less than 50 metres between stops. Regulations including the revised exemption came into force on 1 March 2005. Observed rates of seat belt wearing in light goods vehicles are as follows:
Source:
TRL Ltd surveys for Department of Transport
14 Dec 2005 : Column 2026W
Road Building (North West England)
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his road building priorities are in the North West of England. [37342]
Dr. Ladyman: The Highways Agency has seven major improvement schemes (over £5 million) in the Trunk Road programme in the North West. These schemes are expected to start by April 2008, and are:
The M60 junctions 5–8 widening scheme is under construction, and a scheme is also being developed to provide additional capacity on the M60 between junctions 12 and 18.
Further work is also being undertaken to determine how additional capacity on the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester should be provided—either by widening or by the construction of a new parallel 'expressway'.
A further six potential trunk road schemes are currently being prioritised as part of the regional funding allocation process.
Seat Belts
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the number of people wearing seat belts of an increase in the fine to £80; and if he will make a statement. [37520]
Dr. Ladyman: No such assessment has been made.
Observed seat belt wearing rates are shown in the following table shows. The Department continues its publicity campaign to try to improve seat belt wearing in the rear of cars.
14 Dec 2005 : Column 2027W
Speed Limits
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce 20 mph speed limits near schools in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) Hertfordshire, (d) Greater London and (e) England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [37516]
Dr. Ladyman: Local authorities already have the powers under section 84 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to introduce local speed limits, including 20mph, when the national default limits are not deemed appropriate. The Department encourages their implementation in areas where vulnerable road users are present, including around schools. Local authorities are however best placed to determine where and when 20mph limits or 20mph zones are appropriate.
Tram Programmes
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list departmental meetings held in relation to the (a) Manchester, (b) Sheffield and (c) the Nottingham tram system programmes. [26550]
Derek Twigg: Departmental meetings are held frequently to discuss a range of departmental policies.
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues in respect of Mersey Tram Line 1. [26549]
Derek Twigg: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I meet our ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of departmental policies regularly.
US-registered Planes
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates planes registered in the US by Stevens Express Leasing have landed at domestic UK airfields in each of the last five years. [35999]
Ms Buck:
The Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation sets out the international rights and obligations of the airlines of contracting states, including when it is necessary to seek prior permission to operate flights over or into another state. This is implemented by Article 138 of the Air Navigation Order 2005. Permission from the Secretary of State for Transport is only required by foreign aircraft operating civil flights into the UK where they land and take on board or discharge passengers or cargo, and where valuable consideration is given or promised in respect of that carriage. The Department for Transport has no records of aircraft operated by Stevens Express Leasing landing in the UK.
14 Dec 2005 : Column 2028W
HOME DEPARTMENT
Bribery/Corruption
Mr. Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether breach of the proposed legal obligation at an EU level for public officials to report bribery, corruption and business interests would constitute a criminal offence in the UK. [36320]
Fiona Mactaggart [holding answer 12 December 2005]: We are not aware of the proposal to which the question refers. Requirements of this kind are normally dealt with in the UK in codes of conduct and we do not think the introduction of a criminal offence is necessary or appropriate.
Correspondence
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of correspondence from hon. Members to the Prison Service was answered within 20 working days between (a) January to March, (b) April to June and (c) July to September; and if he will make a statement. [33595]
Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the percentage of correspondence from hon. Members to the Prison Service answered within 20 working days from (a) January to March (b) April to June and (c) July to September 2005 is shown in the following table.
Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, of 20 September on behalf of Mohammed Hassan, husband of Israa Yunis Gullid (Home Office Reference G1097755), (Correspondence Reference B22342/5). [36995]
Mr. McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to my right hon. Friend on 12 December 2005.
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