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19 Dec 2005 : Column 2309W—continued
London Underground (Security)
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional security measures have been instituted on the London Underground system following the terrorist attacks of 7 and 21 July. [37178]
Ms Buck [holding answer 13 December 2005]: We do not reveal the detail of security measures. London Underground Ltd. applied pre-agreed enhanced security measures after the attacks on 7 July together with further additional measures after consulting with the Department.
In addition, British Transport police (BTP) have stepped up their activity. Public vigilance remains very important. BTP, Metropolitan police and Transport For London (TfL) have also initiated a new poster campaign to engage the public in being alert to possible terrorist activity.
M2
Mr. Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 12th December 2005, Official Report, column 1619W, if he will list the dates between 1 September and 1 December during which roadworks on the M2 between junctions 5 and 6 have been disrupted by (a) fog, (b) frost and (c) rain; and on which occasions between 1 September and 1 December work has been suspended between junctions 5 and 6 of the M2 on the advice of Kent police arising from fog, frost or rain. [38055]
Dr. Ladyman: Between 1 September and 1 December 2005, road works on the M2 between junctions 5 and 6 have been disrupted by (a) fog on 21 November, (b) frost on 25 November, 26 November, 28 November and 29 November, (c) rain on 19 October, 24 October, and 6 November. In addition, a combination of low temperatures, bad visibility and damp, delayed works on 31 October and 2 November.
The Highways Agency suspended these roadworks for technical reasons, where environmental conditions would have had an adverse impact on safe and effective operational delivery. No work has been suspended on the advice of Kent police.
Media Analysis
Tom Brake:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) for what purpose his Department commissions analysis of print media; and how the results of such research are used; [35883]
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(2) if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the use of broadcast and print media analysis; [35884]
(3) if he will place copies in the Library of broadcast media reports undertaken for his Department since 2002; [35885]
(4) how much has been paid to Millward Brown for print media analysis undertaken for his Department in each year since 2002; [35886]
(5) whether his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned any research into (i) broadcast and (ii) print media reporting in relation to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington since 5 May 2005. [36011]
Ms Buck: The Department was formed in May 2002.
In common with other public and private sector organisations we do undertake research to understand the effectiveness of our communications.
The Department has bought media research services from Millward Brown at a total cost of £254,250.40 since the creation of DfT to date. This is broken down for each year as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| May 2002 to March 2003 | 33,518.40 |
| April 2003 to March 2004 | 62,792.80 |
| April 2004 to March 2005 | 93,279.20 |
| April 2005 to November 2005 | 64,660.00 |
This research independently analyses transport coverage in the national print media only. We also commissioned a one-off examination of regional print media coverage of transport issues.
I can confirm that the Department has not undertaken or commissioned any research into media reporting in relation to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington since 5 May. Media reporting of public statements and comments made by the hon. Member would have only been categorised by the media analysis company as a comment by a shadow Minister/Opposition politician.
The reports are available on the Department's website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/divisionhomepage/041073.hcsp
Media Monitoring
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department and its predecessors have spent on media monitoring activities in each of the last eight financial years. [35634]
Ms Buck: It is common practice for organisations in both the public and private sector to undertake media monitoring activities. This is to both understand the effectiveness of their communications but also to ensure that they are aware of media coverage of issues relating to their activities.
The Department for Transport pays for two media monitoring services. As with other Government Departments, the Department pay a subscription for the Cabinet Office's Media Monitoring Unit. The DfT also
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commissions a press cuttings company to provide a daily set of cuttings of national print media coverage of transport issues.
Since the Department was formed in May 2002, the following costs have been incurred on these two services in each of the completed financial years:
| MMU | National press cuttings | |
|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | 40,097.18 | 169,976.63 |
| 2003–04 | 41,227.50 | 164,341.13 |
| 2004–05 | 49,000.00 | 155,693.86 |
Ministerial Training
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what briefing and training Ministers joining the Department in May had in advance of (a) making decisions and (b) answering oral questions; and what assessment he has made of the level of preparation and training. [27941]
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Ms Buck: My hon. Friends and I received full and comprehensive briefing from senior Officials in the Department, on all policy areas involving the Department for Transport, immediately after our appointment in May 2005.
Ministerial Travel
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the travel costs are for each Minister in his Department in each month since June, broken down by mode of transport. [25635]
Ms Buck: Ministers use a variety of public transport services when undertaking departmental business. Detailed information about the mode of transport used by Ministers on departmental business is not held centrally and cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.
However, the following table shows the travel costs incurred by each Minister in the period from June to November 2005. These figures include costs incurred in connection with the UK's presidency of the EU this year.
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.
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions he has used public transport over the past 12 months. [26518]
Ms Buck: The Secretary of State regularly travels by public transport in connection with his official duties. Details of individual journeys are not recorded.
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since 7 July 2005 he has used the London Underground in connection with his official duties. [35026]
Ms Buck: The Secretary of State regularly travels by public transport, including London Underground, in connection with his official duties. The Secretary of State has used London Underground a number of times since 7 July, but details of individual journeys are not recorded.
Motorway Accidents
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries of people of each age between 17 and 45 years there were on motorways in each of the last 10 years. [38273]
Dr. Ladyman: The number of fatal and serious injuries of people aged between 17 and 45 in personal injury road accidents on motorways between 1995 and 2004 is given in the table.
(4)Motorways including A(M) roads.
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