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Redhill Aerodrome

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is towards developing Redhill Aerodrome as a commercial passenger airport; and if he will make a statement. [75911]

Gillian Merron: The Government’s policy on airport capacity is set out in “The Future of Air Transport” White Paper. The White Paper did not support major commercial development at Redhill Aerodrome because of its close proximity to Gatwick Airport and the associated airspace conflicts.

Road Improvements (Suffolk)

Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much central Government funding has been allocated to (a) Suffolk county council and (b) each local authority for road improvements in each year since 1997. [75383]

Gillian Merron: The information is as follows:

(a) The following table shows the funding allocated to Suffolk county council in the local transport capital settlements between 1997-98 and 2005-06. The integrated transport block allocations are available for local authorities to use on road and public transport improvements, according to their local priorities.

Suffolk county council
£000
Nature of funding 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

Highways Capital Maintenance

—

—

—

4,472

13,467

11 ,808

12,316

14,485

15,274

Integrated Transport

—

—

—

4,000

7,500

8,150

8,250

7,745

7,350

Total allocation

4,939

4,636

5,554

8,472

20,967

19,958

20,566

22,230

22,624


15 Jun 2006 : Column 1337W

In addition Suffolk county council is receiving £30.5 million for the South Lowestoft Relief Road that will remove the major traffic flows from the old A12 allowing significant bus, safety and environmental improvements.

(b) Information relating to central funding for each local authority for road improvements since 1997 was placed in the Libraries of the House on 18 January 2006 and is also available on the DFT website.

Royal Flight

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2006, Official Report, column 1285W, on the Royal Flight, on which occasions since 1 January 2003 the BAe 146 and HS125 aircraft of 32 Squadron have been used by members of the Royal Family for private purposes; and what amount was reimbursed for each journey. [74296]

Gillian Merron: Since 1 January 2003, the BAe 146 and HS125 aircraft of 32 Squadron have been used for private purposes on four occasions. The details are as follows:

27 March 2004 - HRH the Duke of Edinburgh

8 June 2004 - HM the Queen

5-7 November 2004 - HM the Queen

11 November 2005 - HM the Queen

Smoking

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the prevalence of smoking on buses where a no-smoking policy is in place. [76150]

Gillian Merron: Where general legislation on smoking is not in force it is for local bus operators to determine and enforce their own policies on passengers smoking on their vehicles, ultimately with recourse through the courts.

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is legal to smoke while driving a car. [78340]

Dr. Ladyman: There is no specific prohibition on smoking while driving a vehicle. Road traffic legislation places responsibility on all drivers to have proper control of their vehicles. Any motorist who fails to do so, for whatever reason, such as smoking, or eating and drinking, is liable to prosecution.

Taxi Drivers

Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what restrictions apply to the amount of time a taxi driver is allowed to drive in one shift. [75406]


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Gillian Merron: The majority of taxi drivers are self-employed and there are no restrictions on the amount of time such drivers are allowed to drive in one shift.

Thames Crossing (Greater Reading Area)

Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent discussions his Department has had with local authorities about a third Thames crossing in the Greater Reading area; [76956]

(2) what progress his Department has made on bringing local authorities together to execute a plan for a third Thames crossing in the Greater Reading area. [76965]

Gillian Merron: Although officials in the Government office for the South East have regular meetings with the authorities in the Thames Valley area, they have not been party to any recent meetings to specifically discuss a third Thames crossing in the Greater Reading area.

Transport Acts

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list Acts which received Royal Assent between 1976 and 2006 and for which his Department has policy responsibility which remains in force. [69604]

Gillian Merron: The provision of a definitive list would require extensive consultation with other Government Departments and incur disproportionate costs. The following are the general Acts passed during the relevant period which remain in force and which appear to the Department for Transport to be those for which it has primary policy responsibility.


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