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10 May 2006 : Column 270W—continued
Kingston Park Shopping Centre
Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Highways Agency has issued article 14 directions on the proposed redevelopment and expansion of the Kingston Park shopping centre in Newcastle. [69574]
Dr. Ladyman: Newcastle city council have not yet consulted the Highways Agency on this application as part of the planning process. However the Agency has asked for a copy of the relevant Transport Assessment to enable them to review the proposals and any potential impact on the trunk road network. This review will determine whether an article 14 direction is required.
Ministerial Cars
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many ministerial cars are used in each Government Department; what the cost was of maintaining ministerial cars, broken down by Department, in the last year for which figures are available; who supplies ministerial cars; and what discounts the Department receives in relation to the (a) purchase and (b) hire of ministerial cars. [68885]
Dr. Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond) on 19 April 2006, Official Report, column 701W. This information was correct as of 4 May. Information on the cost of maintaining each ministerial car is not readily available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
The Government Car and Despatch Agency is responsible for providing ministerial cars and drivers. Vehicles are purchased through a number of Government-wide contracts in accordance with relevant European and domestic procurement legislation. The contracts provide for a range of discounts, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose commercially sensitive details.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has carried out of the (a) emission levels, (b) fuel economy, (c) cost and (d) safety of ministerial cars. [68886]
Dr. Ladyman: The Government Car and Despatch Agency has responsibility for the provision of ministerial cars. In establishing whether a particular car is suitable for ministerial use the Agency must satisfy me that it is achieving value for money, that it meets with the Prime Minister's guidance "Travel by Ministers" and that the Agency complies with relevant procurement legislation. The Agency periodically evaluates a range of cars against a number of criteria including emission levels, fuel economy, cost and residual value, and safety. The last review, carried out in 2005, resulted in the provision of either the diesel powered Jaguar XJ or the hybrid electric/petrol Toyota Prius for Cabinet Ministers, and either the diesel powered Vauxhall Vectra or the Toyota Prius for other Ministers.
Railways
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions have been brought by the British Transport police during the past 12 months for antisocial behaviour on the railway network; and if he will make a statement. [65429]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 24 April 2006]: The British Transport police (BTP) have informed me that between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2006 the total number of offenders prosecuted for antisocial behaviour offences recorded by the force numbered 5,567. This figure excludes graffiti offences as they are recorded as ‘criminal damage' offences on the justice administration system (JAS). During the same period the BTP secured 124 antisocial behaviour orders.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the train operating companies that have requested compensation payments for losses incurred as a result of industrial action from (a) the Strategic Rail Authority and (b) the Department for Transport in each month since 2003. [58390]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 20 March 2006]: The information for each train operating company is a matter of commercial confidentiality and it would be inappropriate to make it available.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the train operating companies which requested compensation payments from (a) the Strategic Rail Authority and (b) his Department for losses incurred as a result of industrial action in each month since January 2003. [65320]
Derek Twigg: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given him today [UIN 58390].
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent research has been conducted into the economic value of the cross-country rail network; and if he will publish the findings. [63367]
Derek Twigg: The Department follows the new approach to transport appraisal (NATA) which includes socio-economic benefits. The NATA guidelines are available on webtag. (www.webtag.org.uk)
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the passenger growth on the Tamworth to Birmingham railway line was in each year between 1994 and 2005. [68357]
Derek Twigg: Information between 1994 and 2005 is not available in the form requested. The percentage change in the number of passengers travelling to and from the named stations is shown in the following tables (this information does not include passengers joining or alighting between these stations or making journeys beyond):
| (a) Tamworth to Birmingham | |
| Year( 1) | Percentage passenger growth |
| (b) Birmingham to Tamworth | |
| Year( 1) | Percentage passenger growth |
| (1 )Rail reporting year which is April to March. |
Sea Defences
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to attract resources from the European Regional Development Fund to reinstate the old Southern Railway route in Devon in the event of a failure of railway sea defences at Dawlish. [69130]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 9 May 2006]: It falls to Network Rail to continue to monitor the likelihood of risks to the safety and operational integrity of the railway in the Dawlish area, arising from possible increases in sea levels associated with climate change; and to propose further appropriate measures of protection from flooding and coastal erosion.
Network Rail advises me that it does not believe the railway sea defences in the Dawlish area are likely to fail in the foreseeable future. Were this to become more likely, Network Rail would identify and consider a range of options to address any problems, taking account of value for money and affordability.
Stockport Station
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passenger trains have used platform 0 at Stockport railway station since it became operational. [67254]
Derek Twigg: Since January 2006 17 trains have used platform 0 each Sunday to accommodate engineering works. Usage of the platform will increase from the June 2006 timetable change date.
Transport Regulations
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the operation of Road Vehicle (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971; and what recent representations he has received about the operation of these regulations. [69637]
Dr. Ladyman: The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971 have been superseded by the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002. Recent representations in relation to those regulations have focussed on the release of information from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's (DVLA) vehicle register.
Regulation 27(1 )(e) of the 2002 regulations requires that DVLA release particulars held on its vehicle register to anyone who can demonstrate ‘reasonable cause' for having the particulars made available to him. The term ‘reasonable cause' is not defined in the legislation and each request is considered on its merits.
These regulations consolidate legislation that has been in force and working efficiently for over 40 years. However, when the provisions were originally introduced they did not anticipate the introduction of electronic databases, the large number of vehicles on the roads, or the range of bodies now requesting access. Concerns have also recently been raised about the breadth of organisations that have access to the register. For these reasons, I announced a review of the regulations governing the release of information. A consultation paper was published on 16 February which sought to address all aspects of the release of information from the vehicle register. The consultation period closed on 31 March 2006 and our conclusions will be published in the near future.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the operation of the Road Traffic (Driver Licensing and Information Systems) Act 1989; and what recent representations he has received about the operation of this Act. [69640]
Dr. Ladyman: The Road Traffic (Driver Licensing and Information Systems) Act 1989 abolished special licences for driving heavy goods and passenger service vehicles (now known as large goods vehicles (LGV) and passenger carrying vehicles (PCV)).
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency ensures the continuing operation of this Act by integrating within a single licence both car and LGV and PCV entitlements.
No recent representations have been received.
Solicitor-General
James Miller/Tom Hurndall
Nick Harvey: To ask the Solicitor-General if he will seek to gain access to evidence regarding the cases of James Miller and Tom Hurndall from the Israeli authorities; and if he will make a statement. [68804]
The Solicitor-General: On 5 May 2006 the Attorney-General met the families of James Miller and Thomas Hurndall together with their lawyers. The Attorney-General is considering the issues raised by both families.
Northern Ireland High Court (Crown Appeals)
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions there have been Crown appeals against the length of a sentence in Northern Ireland's High Court in the last three years. [69471]
The Solicitor-General: During the three years 2003 to 2005 there were 28 cases referred to the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal as being potentially unduly lenient. In 2006 there have been two cases referred to date.
Treasury
Bank of England
Dr. Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many nominees he considered for the post of Deputy Governor of the Bank of England apart from Sir John Gieve; and what the process of selection was before he made his nomination; [68326]
(2) when he nominated Sir John Gieve to be Deputy Governor of the Bank of England; and whether he interviewed Sir John personally. [68468]
Ed Balls: Under the Bank of England Act 1998, the Queen is responsible for appointing the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England. The appointment of Sir John Gieve was made on the recommendation of the Prime Minister who in turn was advised by the Chancellor on 11 October of last year. The Chancellor did not interview Sir John Gieve and eight candidates were considered alongside Sir John Gieve.
This appointment process does not fall within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments because it is highly market sensitive. In common with other highly market sensitive appointments the Chancellor's recommendation to the Prime Minister was based on a considered appraisal of a number of suitable candidates.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the staffing requirement of the Bank of England to meet its statutory financial supervision and regulatory obligations in each year since 1996. [68587]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: Under the Bank of England Act 1998, responsibility for management of the Bank's affairs resides with the Bank's court of directors.
Since 1998 statutory responsibility for financial supervision and regulation has resided solely with the Financial Services Authority. The Bank is only responsible for contributing to the overall stability of the financial system as a whole.
Biofuels
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the quality criterion will be available for inclusion of biofuel manufacturers using pure vegetable oil, within the current 20 pence per litre duty reduction, with particular reference to rape seed oil. [68668]
John Healey: Fuel produced from vegetable oil, including rape seed oil, is eligible for the rate of duty for biodiesel (currently 27.10 pence per litre) if it meets the legal definition of biodiesel for tax purposes set out in section 2AA of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979 (HODA). In other cases it is liable to duty at 47.10 pence per litre. Conformity with this definition rather than the source of the oil or method of production determines whether a fuel is deemed as a biodiesel for tax purposes.
As announced at Budget 2006, the Government are reviewing the current definition of biodiesel in HODA to ensure that it remains fit for purpose and enables environmentally friendly fuels, which meet fuel quality standards, to receive recognition through the duty system. HM Revenue and Customs will hold discussions with stakeholders in the coming months and the Government will report on progress at the pre-Budget report.
Centenarians
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people aged 100 or over there are in each county in England. [68392]
John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 10 May 2006:
As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question regarding the number of people aged 100 or over there are in each county in England. (68392)
The attached table provides the information requested. The figures are taken from 2001 Census table S001 which is available on the ‘CD supplement to the National Report for England and Wales and Key Statistics for local authorities in England and Wales'. Data are shown for current administrative counties. For completeness, figures are also shown for other ‘non-county' areas (i.e. London boroughs, metropolitan districts, and unitary authorities).
Age information for annual mid-year population estimates is available up to age 89 and then 90 and over. It is not possible to calculate reliable annual population estimates for centenarians for sub-national areas.
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