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26 Apr 2006 : Column 1093W—continued
Road-Legality Regulations
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to (a) review and (b) vary the regulations which (i) modified and (ii) performance vehicles are required to meet to be classified as road-legal. [65776]
Dr. Ladyman:
There are no specific plans to review the regulations relating to modified or performance vehicles. All road vehicles are required to comply with the appropriate construction requirements, irrespective
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of whether they have been modified or are performance vehicles. These types of vehicles may, however, be affected by changes that could arise from revisions currently being negotiated for the European type approval regime, but at present it is too early to say one way or the other.
Roads (Romford/Havering)
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money was spent on building new roads in (a) Romford and (b) Havering in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [63003]
Dr. Ladyman: This information is generally not held centrally and would only be obtainable from the relevant local highway authorities, Transport for London (TfL) and the London borough of Havering respectively.
The Highways Agency is not responsible for any roads in the Romford area.
None of the roads for which the Highways Agency is responsible within the London borough of Havering have been built in the last 10 years.
Route Utilisation Strategy
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what timetable he envisages for the redevelopment of London Waterloo station to facilitate the implementation of the Route Utilisation Strategy; and if he will make a statement. [65514]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 25 April 2006]: The major redevelopment of Waterloo is being considered by Network Rail and a master plan proposal is currently under evaluation by them. Elements of the Route Utilisation Strategy are being taken forward through the franchising process.
Seat Belts
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about newly-produced cars being fitted with a seat belt reminder system. [65105]
Dr. Ladyman: Further to my answer to the hon. Member of 19 April 2006, Official Report, columns 708–9W, I have received no further representations about newly-produced cars being fitted with a seat belt reminder system.
Speed Cameras
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is mandatory for the speed camera partnerships to corroborate their cameras radar measurements of speed with the cameras photographic evidence before sending out a notice of intended prosecution to those accused of speeding offences; and if he will make a statement. [65857]
Paul Goggins: I have been asked to reply.
This is a matter for the individual police forces within safety camera partnerships. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has issued a Code of Practice for the Operational use of Road Policing Enforcement Technology
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(available on the ACPO website www.acpo.police.uk). This deals in part with the use of approved secondary check procedures to verify the continuing accuracy of the device.
Speed Limits
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on traffic volumes of the strict enforcement of (a) existing 60 mph and 70 mph speed limits and (b) a 55 mph speed limit on all extra-urban roads, broken down by (i) class of road and (ii) type of vehicle. [65665]
Dr. Ladyman: Speed limits are in place for road safety reasons, and enforcement of them is a matter for the police.
Train Timetable (West Country)
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria the Department used in deciding to specify in the Greater Western Franchise (a) a reduction in the frequency and (b) an increase in the journey time of trains between (i) London and Exeter and (ii) London and Plymouth; how many trains under the new schedule will reach (A) Exeter in two hours or under and (B) Plymouth in three hours or under from London; and how many did so under the (1) current schedule and (2) 1994 schedule. [60179]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 21 March 2006]: The Great Western Franchise specification was designed to improve the overall operational and financial performance of the train service and to ensure resources were used to best meet market needs.
Under the proposed timetable for December 2006, which has been consulted on by First Group, the fastest journey time between London and Exeter will be two hours eight minutes, with the average journey time for daytime trains being two hours 31 minutes. No trains made the journey in two hours or under in 1994. The position for Plymouth is that in the proposed December 2006 timetable the fastest journey will be three hours; in the present timetable two trains arrive in three hours or less, while in 1994 no trains made the journey in three hours or under.
First announced a series of changes to their proposed December 2006 timetable on 3 April, including the reinstatement of two London and Exeter trains in each direction, which will allow improved journey times to Plymouth.
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Avian Influenza
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the efficacy of the methodology used in collecting samples for testing for avian influenza. [64711]
Mr. Bradshaw:
Regular assessments are made of the methodologies used for sample collection and any changes in methodology are robustly validated to international standards prior to adoption. The procedures used for UK programmes of avian influenza surveillance in wild bird populations conform to
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international protocols. These are specifically endorsed as part of a mandatory European Union wild bird surveillance programme and ratified by all member states.
As the service provider for Al surveillance testing, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) has a commitment to ensure that any modifications to procedures are fully validated before new methodology is adopted. This ensures a high degree of quality assurance, critical for detection and diagnosis, especially with respect to a listed pathogen of zoonotic potential such as avian influenza.
In January 2006, the VLA launched a project studying virus survival. The results from this study will be formally linked, where required, to any review process.
Climate Change Targets
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans she has to ensure that her Department's progress in meeting domestic climate change targets is effectively monitored; [64972]
(2) what additional measures she is planning to enable the Government to meet their domestic climate change targets; and if she will make a statement. [64973]
Mr. Morley [holding answer 24 April 2006]: The new Climate Change Programme, published in March 2006, sets out a range of policies to support our national climate change goals. These include measures to support increased electricity generation from renewable sources, to encourage energy efficiency measures in households, and to provide more reliable consumer product information. The Programme will also support more sustainable transport choices, introduce higher standards for energy efficiency in buildings, and finance energy efficiency measures for public sector organisations.
Defra is also consulting on the draft of the UK's National Allocation Plan for the second phase of the EU emissions trading scheme. The Scheme is a central element of the energy supply and business sectors' contribution to our policies to tackle climate change.
Existing and new policies set out in the Programme are expected to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions to 15 to 18 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. This would take the Government close to their domestic target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010.
The Government issue annual updates on the UK's greenhouse gas emissions. The final emissions estimates for 2004 were published on 23rd January 2006, and can be viewed at:
The Government will also be reporting annually to Parliament on emissions levels.
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