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29 Oct 2009 : Column 495W—continued
Eurostar: Cleaning Services
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport (1) when the Eurostar Carlisle Cleaning Group contract is to be renewed; [295905]
(2) what payments have been made by Eurostar to Carlisle Group in the last five years; and what payments are expected to be made in the next three years. [295906]
Chris Mole: The Department for Transport is not a party to the contract between Carlisle and Eurostar. However, details of the contract are publicly available from the Official Journal of the EU (218/2008). This indicates that a six-year contract was awarded on 2 October 2008 with a value of £14 million. The document is on the internet at the following address:
In relation to payments made prior to that date, as the Department is not party to these contracts it has no information regarding their value.
Fire Services: Working Hours
Mr. Goodwill: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent guidance his Department has issued to fire and rescue services on the application of European Road Transport Working Time Regulation (EC) 561/2006 in respect of retained firefighters who drive vehicles and who also (a) work as commercial drivers and (b) work in other occupations. [296495]
Paul Clark: The EU Regulation on drivers' hours (Regulation (EC) 561/2006) prescribes maximum limits on driving time and minimum requirements for breaks and rest periods.
The then Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Canning Town (Jim Fitzpatrick) met with the Retained Firefighters Union in November 2008 and explained that time spent on duty as a retained firefighter outside a driver's regular employment counts as other work rather than rest. As a result, the driver is required, in common with other drivers who have a second job, to declare it as a period of other work and ensure that the required daily and weekly rest periods are taken.
Local Transport Plans: Carbon Emissions
Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport with reference to the guidance issued in July 2009 to local transport authorities on the production of local transport plans, by what percentage or other amount local transport authorities are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a result of their local transport plans; and what proportion of those reductions is expected to be attributable to (a) policies implemented under local transport plans and (b) other factors. [296417]
Mr. Khan: The performance of local authorities on transport, including CO2 emissions, is managed through the National Indicator Set and through Local Area Agreements. Of 152 local authorities, 102 have already selected National Indicator 186-measuring the per capita reduction in CO2 emissions-as a priority in their Local Area Agreement, demonstrating their commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
Recent local transport plan guidance recognises that local authorities are particularly important partners in helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with our climate change goal for transport. The Government have a policy of devolving responsibility to local transport authorities so they can make the right choices for their local areas. It would therefore not be appropriate for Government to specify the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reductions expected from each authority.
Motor Vehicles: Norwich
Chloe Smith: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many vehicles were registered for (a) personal and (b) business use in Norwich, North constituency in (i) 1997, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2009. [296020]
Paul Clark: The following table provides the number of privately- and company-owned vehicles in the Norwich, North constituency that were licensed at the end of the year in (i) 1997, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2008. Data for 2009 are not available:
| Privately-owned vehicles | Company-owned vehicles | Total | |
There are a number of vehicles in the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency database which have incomplete or inaccurate postcodes and therefore cannot be allocated to any constituency.
Motor Vehicles: Registration
Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many (a) passenger cars and (b) light vans (i) were de-registered and (ii) had their registration certification annulled in the latest year for which information is available; and how many certificates of destruction were issued for end-of-life vehicles in the latest year for which information is available. [296414]
Paul Clark: The information sought is not held in the format requested. Separate figures are not recorded for passenger cars and light vans.
In the financial year 2008-09:
(a) the total number of vehicles destroyed was 1,109,574;
(b) the total number of certificates of destruction issued was 1,026,054;
(c) the total number of vehicles de-registered on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency vehicle register was 909,653.
Railways: Environment Protection
Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what procedures are in place to encourage train operating companies to improve their environmental efficiency demands. [296044]
Chris Mole: In the 2007 rail White Paper "Delivering a Sustainable Railway", the Government committed to setting an environmental target for the railway in Control Period 5 (2014-19). This is under development.
In addition, the Department for Transport has included environmental objectives in recent rail franchise specifications requiring operators to report on environmental performance and put in place measures to reduce environmental impacts. The rail industry also reports its total energy consumption and carbon emissions to the Office of Rail Regulation on an annual basis.
West Coast Railway Line: Speed Limits
Mr. Martlew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether there are plans for the improvement of the West Coast Main Line track north of Preston to increase running speeds. [296830]
Chris Mole: The recently completed modernisation of the West Coast Main Line maximised the opportunities for line speed improvements north of Preston. While the curvature of the line limits speeds in a number of places, significant sections of 125 miles per hour running have been delivered bringing greatly reduced journey times for passengers.
Wales
Digital Broadcasting
Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions he has had with telecommunications providers on the loss of ITV channels as a result of digital switchover in Wales; [294317]
(2) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the loss of ITV channels as a result of digital switchover in Wales. [294316]
Mr. Hain: The "loss" of television channels to some viewers has occurred not because of the digital switchover, but because of a national re-tune. The Broadcasters decided to go ahead with the re-organisation of the Freeview platform in order to make space for the introduction of new technology to enable High Definition services on the digital terrestrial television (or Freeview) platform. It has also increased the availability of Channel Five to the point where it can now be received in almost all households across the UK-98.5 per cent. An estimated 500,000 Freeview homes will be able to see Channel Five for the first time after re-tuning.
Around 78,000 viewers in Wales, who receive their transmissions via a relay station, may have lost access to ITV 3 or ITV 4 following the re-tune but many viewers will of course have gained Channel Five and HD capability. These channels are not necessarily permanently unavailable as there are alternative means of accessing both. Viewers can find out how to do so by contacting Digital UK via their website at:
or the helpline on 08456 505050 or by investing in alternative platforms such as Freesat, cable or satellite-not all of which require a subscription.
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Territorial Army in each region who have served in Afghanistan have been awarded the Military Cross in each of the last seven years. [296498]
Bill Rammell: Three members of the Territorial Army who have served in Afghanistan have been awarded the Military Cross in the last seven years (2003-09), one in 2007 and two in 2009.
Armed Forces: Injuries
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former service personnel who left the armed forces as a result of injury since 1997 were from (a) England, (b) Teesside and (c) Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency. [296393]
Mr. Kevan Jones: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost as residential address information for former service personnel is not held with reference to country, county or parliamentary constituency. Further, there are significant questions over the accuracy and completeness of what is held; for example, some ex-service personnel do not provide a valid contact address on leaving the services or do not notify the MOD of a change of address if they move.
Armed Forces: Somalia
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are assigned to operations (a) in and (b) related to Somalia; and whether any increase in such assignments is planned. [295174]
Bill Rammell: The UK armed forces have provided a colonel to the UN political office in Somalia. We have also provided staff officers on request for short periods of time to support the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and we provide training assistance to AMISOM forces before deployment. The UK is also carrying out training and support activity with countries in the region in order to reduce the threat of terrorist activity.
We are providing considerable support to counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. The Royal Navy is contributing two frigates and a support tanker, as well as sizeable contributions to all of the operation headquarters. Some 320 members of the armed forces are specifically engaged in countering piracy as part of the EU operation ATALANTA and NATO Operation OCEAN SHIELD. A further 560 are contributing to maritime security in the region within NATO and the combined maritime forces, including countering smuggling and piracy.
MOD is looking to enhance international operations underway in and around Somalia, and is working with our international colleagues on the best way in which we can support security sector development for the Somali Transitional Federal Government. These considerations include manpower enhancements in niche capacities where UK expertise can make a difference.
Ascension Island
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in his discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on future funding arrangements for Ascension Island. [295620]
Bill Rammell: The decision by the Ascension Island Government to remove a variation in the Ministry of Defence's annual property tax liability, which had the effect of almost doubling the amount, is currently being disputed. The MOD, therefore, has not paid this new tax liability in full.
Discussions are ongoing in order to seek an agreement that is fair and equitable, and assurance that the services received from the Ascension Island Government represent best value for money. The Ascension Island Council has commissioned an HMRC-led study, supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, into tax arrangements on Ascension Island. The Ministry of Defence is being consulted as part of this study.
Departmental Postal Services
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies are under contract to his Department to provide mail services; and when each such contract expires. [296080]
Bill Rammell: The MOD contracts solely with Royal Mail Group for provision of mail services through the Forces Mail Settlement. The terms of the contract, which ran until 1 April 2009, continue to operate pending agreement and signature of a new contract.
Departmental Travel
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on (a) members of his Department and (b) uniformed members of the armed forces using first class travel on official business; and if he will make a statement. [295682]
Mr. Kevan Jones [holding answer 26 October 2009]: When movement is by commercial airline, as opposed to MOD charter or part-charter, class of travel is determined by the length of flight and the rank or civil service grade of the passenger. The majority of armed forces and civilian personnel will travel economy, tourist or budget class. Only when flights are longer than 2.5 hours will the passenger be entitled to travel club, executive, new economy, ambassador or premier economy. Two star officers and above and two star senior civil service and above, will mostly travel by club, executive, business, new economy, ambassador or premier. However, when this class of travel is not available, the flight is longer than 2.5 hours, and this is the only method of travel available to meet with designated service priorities, then the passenger is entitled to travel first class.
For rail and sea travel, most will travel by standard class. However, officers and civil servants who are Lieutenant Commander, Major, Squadron Leader, pay band C2 and above, travelling on duty, are entitled to first class travel.
Regardless of entitlement, though, all personnel are strongly encouraged to use the most economic means of travel at all times.
Gurkhas: Pensions
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there have been any recent changes to the Gurkha pension plan; and whether any changes are expected to take effect in the next five months. [296831]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The last changes made to the pension arrangements affecting Gurkha personnel were in October 2007 when the MOD initiated the Gurkha offer to transfer for serving and recently retired Gurkhas to allow them to transfer their pension benefits to one of two armed forces pension schemes. This offer was limited solely to service after 1 July 1997. There are no plans to make changes to the current Gurkha pension arrangements.
Military Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft of each type are assigned to the (a) 12 Squadron, (b) 14 Squadron, (c) XV Squadron, (d) 617 Squadron, (e) 42 (R) Squadron, (f) 120 Squadron, (g) 201 Squadron, (h) 43 Squadron, (i) 111 Squadron and (j) 202 Squadron D Flight. [296034]
Bill Rammell: The number of aircraft assigned to particular squadrons may vary on a daily basis. As at 23 October the information requested is provided in the following table:
| Squadron | Aircraft type |
|
Nil Tornado GR4 (Squadron currently on post operational leave) | |
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