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Written Answers to Questions
Friday 20 January 2006
TRANSPORT
Aircraft (Contaminated Air)
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking in relation to contaminated air events on commercial aircraft. [41983]
Ms Buck: The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology report dated November 2000 (paragraph 4.41) found concerns about contaminated air events to be unsubstantiated. Nevertheless, we have requested an evidence review of documentation submitted by BALPA on this matter by the independent Committee on Toxicity; and this is in hand.
Hard Shoulder Running
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 10 January 2006, Official Report, column 495W, what the timetable for the decision-making process on the introduction of hard shoulder running is; and what the schedule is for rolling out the programme. [42975]
Dr. Ladyman: There is little I can add to my previous answer.
Controlled use of the hard shoulder during peak periods of traffic congestion is due to be implemented on the M42 in the West Midlands by March 2007 as part of the Highways Agency's Active Traffic Management pilot. In order to establish fully the effectiveness of these measures, the project will be monitored over a three-year period. Initial conclusions from operation of the scheme will be reviewed in 2008, but in the meantime it would be premature to develop a programme for the wider use of further hard shoulder running.
M3
Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the peak flow of traffic at the southern roundabout of junction 6 on the M3. [43112]
Dr. Ladyman: A traffic count was carried out at junction 6 of the M3 on 27 September 2005. The results of the peak period vehicle count was as follows:
| Peak | ||
|---|---|---|
| 8 am to 9 am | 5 am to 6 pm | |
| M3 southbound off slip | 1,600 | 1,440 |
| M3 southbound on slip | 530 | 1,210 |
| M3 northbound off slip | 1,680 | 550 |
| M3 northbound on slip | 1,400 | 1,420 |
| Total | 5,210 | 4,620 |
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The survey was undertaken as part of a study to investigate and identify possible improvements in relation to congestion and safety issues at M3 junction 6.
Night-flight Restrictions
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost was of conducting the stage (a) one and (b) two consultation on night flight restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports; and if he will make a statement. [44545]
Ms Buck: Preparation and publication of the stage one consultation paper cost approximately £12,500 and stage two approximately £11,000. These figures do not include departmental staff costs and overheads and do not include the cost of Civil Aviation Authority staff who prepared the noise contours and other technical data.
In addition, to increase awareness of the consultation exercise among the local community, advertisements were taken out in local newspapers explaining where the consultation paper could be obtained. This cost approximately £6,500 (stage one) and £4,000 (stage two).
EDUCATION AND SKILLS
Child Protection
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what checks are carried out on workers subcontracted to carry out work on school premises, including cleaners and maintenance workers. [43523]
Ruth Kelly: My statement, and the accompanying report, of 19 January set out clearly the Government's analysis of, and response to, issues concerning child protection and List 99, together with the action we are currently taking.
The Safeguarding Children: Safer Recruitment and Selection in Education Settings guidance issued in June 2005 states that:
"Local authorities, schools, and Further Education institutions should ensure that the terms of any contract they let that requires the contractor to employ staff to work with, or provide services for, children for whom the LA, school or FE institution is responsible also requires the contractor to adopt and implement the measures described in this guidance. They should also monitor the contractor's compliance."
Among other things the measures described include pre appointment checks of List 99 and CRB disclosures—copy at www.teachernet.gov.uk/childprotection
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department has given permission for an individual whose name appears on (a) the sex offenders register, (b) List 99 and (c) the Protection of Children Act List to work in (i) the provision of child care in all settings from birth to entry to school and (ii) the provision of youth services in each of the last four years. [43768]
Ruth Kelly:
The Department does not give permission for people to work in specific settings. Employment decisions are a matter for individual employers. Any individual who appears on List 99 or the POCA List (other than provisionally) on the grounds of
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unsuitability to work with children is barred from working in a "regulated position" within the meaning of section 36 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 which includes, for example, a position whose normal duties include caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children.
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people on the register of sex offenders have been permitted to work in schools and have subsequently committed a sexual offence. [43772]
Ruth Kelly [holding answer 19 January 2006]: My statement and accompanying report explain the work under way to establish how many people on the list of registered sex offenders are currently employed in schools. We are carrying out follow up work with local Multi Agency Protection Panels, which include the police.
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which offences lead to an automatic ban from working in schools. [43770]
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what duty is placed on local authorities to report to her Department incidents of individuals with a record of sex offending working with children. [44473]
Ruth Kelly: My statement, and the accompanying report, of 19 January set out clearly the Government's analysis of, and response to, issues concerning child protection and List 99, together with the action we are currently taking.
Criminal Records Bureau
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions her Department has had with the Home Office about making Criminal Records Bureau searches more effective in respect of school staff. [43928]
Ruth Kelly: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) searches several different databases before issuing a disclosure. We are not aware of any instances where the CRB has failed to perform a fully effective search of its databases. My Department is involved in discussions with the Home Office about further improving the information flows for the purpose of establishing the new vetting and barring scheme arising from Sir Michael Bichard's report.
Home Tutors
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Government have a list of all home tutors working in England. [44284]
Ruth Kelly: The Government do not maintain a list of all home tutors working in England.
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department plans to review the regulation of home tutors within the education system; and if she will make a statement. [44546]
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Ruth Kelly: Individuals working as self-employed home tutors are not able to independently obtain a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure as the application must be signed by a person who is entitled to ask an exempted question in relation to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
The Department strongly advises parents to check the background of home tutors by requesting references and checking a tutor's registration with the relevant General Teaching Council. Parents are also advised to make appropriate arrangements for a child who is receiving home tuition, for example having an adult present.
The Department is fully aware that parents have limited access to information. The new scheme to be implemented as part of the Bichard Inquiry recommendations is giving consideration to how parents can access information on people they wish to employ as home tutors.
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