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19 Dec 2005 : Column 2576W—continued
Right to Buy (Leeds)
John Battle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1)what proportion of Leeds council housing stock has been sold under the Right to Buy since 1980; [35119]
(2) what proportion of council (a) houses and (b) flats in each Leeds constituency have been sold under the Right to Buy since 1980; [35121]
(3) how many council homes were sold under the Right to Buy scheme in Leeds, West constituency in each year since 1980. [35123]
Yvette Cooper: An estimated 28 per cent. of council housing stock in Leeds has been sold through the Right to Buy scheme since 1980. Information concerning the type of dwelling is not available. Constituency level data are not held centrally. The numbers of Leeds council dwellings sold each year since 1980 through the Right to Buy scheme, as reported by Leeds are tabulated as follows.
n/a—not available
Sources:
Sales—Quarterly returns (P1A/B) to ODPM from local authorities.
Stock—ODPM Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA).
19 Dec 2005 : Column 2577W
Rough Sleepers (Severe Weather)
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account he takes of forecasts of severe weather when assessing the adequacy of provision of places for rough sleepers. [35478]
Yvette Cooper [holding answer 7 December 2005]: Local authorities are required to have strategies in place for ensuring that accommodation and support are available for people who become homeless or are at risk of homelessness. In areas with significant rough sleeping problems there are more detailed plans and arrangements for additional provision in severe weather. Usual practice is that such additional provision should be triggered by a Met Office forecast of zero degrees Celsius or lower for three consecutive nights.
Walking (Planning Implications)
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the planning implications of the promotion of walking. [35033]
Yvette Cooper: Government policy is to seek to reduce the reliance on the private car by promoting alternative forms of transport, such as public transport, walking and cycling. Planning guidance is given in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 13 Transport". This says walking is the most important mode of travel at the local level and offers the greatest potential to replace short car trips". Local authorities should consider walking within their local transport plans, which in turn inform local development frameworks (LDF). With reference to town centres, Planning for Town Centres, Guidance on Design and Implementation tools", which accompanies Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 6 Planning for town centres", states that local authorities should seek to improve the quality, convenience and safety of access on foot, by bicycle and public transport. It advises that further guidance is given in Walking and Cycling Action Plan" (DfT, TINF391).
There is no national assessment of the planning implications of the promotion of walking but PPS1 Delivering Sustainable Development" makes it clear that planning authorities should ensure their plans and policies are properly based on analysis and evidence.
19 Dec 2005 : Column 2578W
NORTHERN IRELAND
A26
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the Department for Regional Development Road Service works on the A26 to conclude; and what the expected final cost is. [37806]
Mr. Woodward: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 19 December 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding when he expects the Department for Regional Development Roads Service works on the A26 to conclude, and what the expected final cost is. I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
Current work on the A26 at Ballynaloob between Ballymena and Ballymoney involves the construction of a 2+1" carriageway to create a safe overtaking opportunity for Ballymoney bound traffic, starting at Dunloy crossroads and continuing for some 1.6 kilometres towards Ballymoney. This is part of our programme to improve overtaking opportunities on single carriageways by widening of stretches to provide two lanes of traffic in one direction and one lane in the other.
An adjacent scheme to improve the Dunloy crossroads is being constructed at the same time. This is being undertaken in light of the poor safety record at the existing junction.
It is proposed to open the A26 at Ballynaloob to two-way traffic by 23 December 2005. However, finishing-off works including hedge and tree planting will continue for a few months after Christmas but most of this will be undertaken without the need for a diversion. The total cost for both schemes is expected to be £3.3 million.
A6
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Northern Ireland when he expects the dualling of the A6 between Londonderry and Dungiven to (a) commence and (b) be concluded. [38340]
Mr. Woodward: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Malcolm McKibbin, dated 19 December 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding when he expects the dualling of the A6 between Londonderry and Dungiven to (a) commence and (b) be concluded. 38340
I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
Roads Service commissioned consultants in April 2005 to identify a corridor for the future dualling of the A6 between Castledawson and Londonderry. It is envisaged that this study will be completed in spring 2006 when the development of the scheme will move to a more detailed phase (Stage 2 Assessment) and public consultation process.
As announced by the Secretary of State, on 13 December 2005, it is hoped that the scheme will commence on site in the latter half of the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan 2015 period.
At this preliminary stage of scheme development, it is not possible to predict with any degree of accuracy how long this scheme, given its magnitude, would take to construct. We will advise you of likely construction duration when we are in a better position to assess it with reasonable confidence.
Accidental Deaths
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many accidental deaths there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last 20 years. [37599]
Angela E. Smith: The following table gives the number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland in each year between 1985 and 2004 where the death was recorded as being caused by an accident 1 .
1 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes V01-X59, Y85, Y86 for years 2001–04 and Ninth Revision codes E800-E929 for years 1985–2000.
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