Written Answers to Questions
Monday 12 July 2010
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Committee
Members' Staff: Training
John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority how many hon. Members have had their staff trained by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in the operation of its systems. [7215]
Mr Charles Walker: As of 8 July 2010 approximately 400 Members' staff have been trained in the operation of online expenses system.
Members: Bank Services
Ann McKechin: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority what the policy of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority is on the disclosure of bank account details submitted to the Authority by hon. Members. [7207]
Mr Charles Walker: The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) does not propose to publish account details submitted by MPs, including the MP's own account details, or those of their staff. This includes the details of bank accounts, mortgage, insurance or utility account numbers, and account numbers provided on individual invoices.
In accordance with the requirements of the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009, IPSA launched a consultation on its publication proposals on 16 June 2010. The consultation closed on 7 July 2010 and IPSA's finalised policy will be published before Parliament's summer recess.
Members: Finance
John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority how many hon. Members have (a) supplied and (b) not supplied the details required to use the online financial system operated by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. [7216]
Mr Charles Walker: As of 8 July 2010, 639 Members have provided the required details to receive the RSA token, which enables them to use the online expenses system. 485 Members have logged on to the system and registered their intent to claim.
Members: Security
Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (1) what advice on the security implications of IPSA's publication proposals was obtained by IPSA before the launch of the consultation on the proposals; [7986]
(2) whether the security advice issued to hon. Members was taken into account by IPSA in drawing up its publication proposals for consultation. [7987]
Mr Charles Walker: The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) is aware of the security advice issued to hon. Members and takes the security concerns of MPs and their staff very seriously.
IPSA has met the Information Commissioner's Office and the Parliamentary Security Co-ordinator to discuss security issues, including the impact of our publication scheme. Following this advice, IPSA does not propose to publish MPs' sensitive personal data, or any information about the time of any journeys made. It stands prepared to respond to security concerns should they arise in any specific individual circumstances.
Members: Training
John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority how many hon. Members have participated in training sessions offered by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. [7214]
Mr Charles Walker: As of 8 July 2010, 642 Members have completed the relevant training sessions offered by IPSA.
Members: Travel
John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority how many hon. Members have (a) applied for and (b) received travel cards from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. [7213]
Mr Charles Walker: As of 8 July 2010, 640 MPs have ordered travel cards from IPSA by completing a Member's details form.
Of these, 182 Members have yet to collect their cards. The cards can be collected from the IPSA Documentation Centre at 1 Parliament street, which is open every day from 09.00 to 13.00 and 14.00-16.00, until 31 July 2010.
Telephone Services
Mr Winnick: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority whether the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) plans to publish a list of telephone numbers and names of relevant IPSA officials who may be contacted by hon. Members on all issues regarding their staffing, office and travel costs. [7027]
Mr Charles Walker: IPSA has established an information line for MPs to contact its Support Services Team, who will take queries regarding MPs' staffing, office and travel costs. The telephone number for the information line is 020 7811 6400. Any IPSA official on the information line will be able to assist Members with their queries and will have access to records of their previous questions. IPSA regards this as a more effective approach to providing advice than publishing individual telephone numbers.
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of (a) injuries and (b) fatalities incurred by the Taliban attributable to the actions of British forces in the last 12 months. [7208]
Dr Fox: The Ministry of Defence and the International Security Assistance Force do not maintain an overall estimate of the number of insurgents killed in Afghanistan. To collect and verify such information is extremely difficult given the nature of the conflict, and the risks involved would outweigh the benefits of obtaining the information. There is also no reliable method to calculate the number of insurgents killed.
The long-term strategy for defeating the insurgency in Afghanistan is not as a purely military campaign but rather through a wide range of military and non-military activities. As such, the number of insurgents killed or injured during the campaign does not provide a useful measure of success.
Armed Forces: Vehicles
David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-combat vehicles are rented by each of the armed services. [5864]
Peter Luff: The UK White Fleet contract accounts for approximately 90% of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) short-term hires made in the UK. The breakdown is as follows:
| Top level budget | Total number hires FY 2009-10 |
The number of short-term hires through the British Forces Germany White Fleet contract was 17,527. In addition, short-term overseas hires booked through MOD's Defence Travel Cell for the financial year 2009-10 amounted to 4,787.
It is not possible to break down the numbers of short term hires on a per service basis, as bookings are made using civilian titles for security reasons.
Hires through Government Procurement Cards, MOD agencies such as the Defence Support Group, Met Office and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and overseas dependencies fall outside the scope of White Fleet contracts and have separate local arrangements. These details are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Colombia: Military Aid
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been budgeted for military aid to Colombia in (a) 2010-11 and (b) future years; and whether it is included in his current review of spending. [5209]
Nick Harvey: The only military aid we provide to Colombia is for the ongoing programme of counter-narcotics assistance. It would not be appropriate to provide details about this programme, as to do so would prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Departmental Speeches
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which (a) (i) civil servants and (ii) special advisers in his Department and (b) other individuals are employed to write speeches for each Minister in his Department. [7300]
Dr Fox: Two civil servants are employed to assist with speeches for Ministers across the Department.
Historical Enquiries Team
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has made an assessment of the findings of the Historical Enquiries Team report on the death of William McGreanery; and if he will make a statement. [6804]
Dr Fox [holding answer 8 July 2010]: No. The Historical Enquiries Team is independent of Government and provides reports to the families, not Government. Consequently, I have not seen the full report.
Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the case of Amantullah Ali, a Pakistani National arrested by British troops in the Basra area in February 2004, what steps are being taken in line with the UK's responsibilities under international conventions to ensure his proper treatment. [5285]
Dr Fox: In answering this question I have assumed that the right hon. Member's question refers to the two Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba members who were captured by British forces in Baghdad in February 2004, transferred to US detention in accordance with normal practice at the time and then transferred to Afghanistan by the US.
The Ministry of Defence maintains an ongoing dialogue with US colleagues on a range of detention-related matters, including the two Pakistani individuals referred to. The most recent contact of this nature occurred in
May 2009. I can also confirm that the US provides access to the two individuals by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of plans for the future of Operation Telic; and if he will make a statement. [5937]
Dr Fox: Operation Telic has evolved through a number of separate phases since the start of operations in 2003. Initial high-intensity war fighting soon transitioned to counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, and in 2009 there was a fundamental change of mission to training and mentoring. Planning for the future of Operation Telic is the subject of ongoing work but the partnership between the UK and Iraq will continue to be strengthened through co-operation in a range of areas including the economy, culture, commerce, education and defence. It is clearly in the UK's interest to continue to develop a strong bilateral relationship with Iraq and in support of this we will look to build on our long tradition of defence co-operation. The nature and timing of such co-operation will depend on the wishes and approval of the Iraqi Parliament.
Military Bases: Safety
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a copy in the Library of the scoping report which was based on the Haddon-Cave Nimrod review and was presented to the Defence Environment and Safety Board at its meeting of 25 February 2010. [2653]
Dr Fox [holding answer 16 June 2010]: No. I am withholding the report as it relates to the development of Government policy.
Trident
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Investment Approvals Board to consider the report of the Initial Gate review for the Trident replacement programme; whether he plans to publish that report; and what opportunities hon. Members will have to scrutinise that report. [7751]
Dr Fox: We are currently planning for Initial Gate decision towards the end of 2010, following consideration by the Investment Approvals Board in the autumn. It is not normal for Parliament to be involved in Initial Gate decisions for procurement projects. I do, however, propose to update Parliament on progress after the Initial Gate decision through the publication of a report.
Electoral Commission Committee
Electoral Register
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether the Electoral Commission is undertaking work together with the Office for National Statistics on increasing the accuracy of estimates of the number of (a) eligible voters in the UK and (b) the number of such people not on the electoral register. [7759]
Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that it is currently working with the Office for National Statistics, the General Register Office for Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency to use 2011 Census data to assess the completeness and accuracy of the electoral registers in the UK.
The aim of this is to provide estimates of the number of eligible voters in the UK and the number of eligible voters not on an electoral register. However, this analysis may not be complete until 2014 because of the length of time taken to make census data available once the collection of information is complete.
Wales
Departmental Electronic Equipment
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on televisions in each year since 1997. [7515]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. Three television sets were purchased between 2000 and 2002, although the costs are not recorded.
In 2006-07 the Office purchased two television sets at a total cost of £224.16.
Departmental ICT
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on information and communication technology in each year since 1997. [7346]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. No records are held on expenditure on information and communication technology before 2005-06. Wales Office IT is provided under a contract set up by the Ministry of Justice, and the costs are set out as follows:
| £ | |
Departmental Lighting
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on light bulbs in each year since 1997. [7635]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. From 1999 until 2004 the maintenance of its building in London was undertaken through contracts managed by the National Assembly for Wales, and since then this has been done through Ministry of Justice contracts. Charges made by the Ministry of Justice to the Wales Office do not split costs down to light bulbs. If these figures could be obtained, it would be at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Marketing
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on logo design in each year since 1997. [7491]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. The only expenditure on logo design was in 2000-01 when £2,728 was spent designing the Wales Office logo.
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on website design in each year since 1997. [7616]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. In 2007 £10,500 was spent to redesign the Office's English and Welsh websites.
There are no records of any earlier website design costs.
Departmental Official Cars
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which Ministers in her Department have used an allocated ministerial car to travel between the Department and the House of Commons on each day since 21 May 2010. [5557]
Mr David Jones: This information is not kept on record. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department has spent on the Government Car Service since the Government took office. [7953]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has spent £16,723 on the Government Car Service since the Government took office. My office has cancelled the car contracted for my use in London, thereby halving this Department's previous number of ministerial cars in London. We are currently looking at value for money options for the car used by myself and the Secretary of State in Wales.
Departmental Official Hospitality
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on hospitality in each year since 1997. [7453]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. Records for hospitality go back to 2003-04 and the amounts spent are as follows:
| £ | |
Departmental Regulation
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of her Department's regulations are under review; and if she will make a statement. [7141]
Mr David Jones: The following regulations will be reviewed and updated:
The National Assembly for Wales (Disqualification) Order 2006
The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007
Departmental Security
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on security in each year since 1997. [7383]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. The Wales Office building has since 2008 had 24 hour security owing to its position in Whitehall. Records prior to 2005-06 did not split costs in such a way as to detail the spend on security. The costs from 2005-06 are as follows:
| £ | |
Departmental Stationery
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on stationery in each year since 1997. [7472]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. Records do not separate the cost of stationery from the cost of other office supplies, and this could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Training
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on employee awaydays in each year since 1997. [7327]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. An away day was held in February 2003, but expenditure records for that time did not separate out this cost.
In 2006-07 an away day held in Swansea cost £9,362
In 2007-08 an away day held in London cost £15,109
In 2008-09 an away day held in Cardiff cost £8,672
Also in 2008-09 policy branch held a team event at a cost of £597.
Departmental Travel
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department has spent on travel for its employees in each year since 1997. [7434]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. The following amounts have been spent on travel for the Wales Office since July 1999:
| £ | |
The Wales Office is based in London and Cardiff and staff need to travel between the offices regularly in the course of their duties.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have been driven by the Government Car Service since the Government took office; and how much each of these persons has received in expenses for use of taxis, buses and underground trains in that period. [7954]
Mr David Jones: Both myself and the Secretary of State have had use of cars provided by the Government Car Service since the Government took office. Neither of us has made any claims for taxis, buses or underground trains in that period.
Officials in the Wales Office do not use the Government Car Service.
Departmental Utilities
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on (a) electricity, (b) water, (c) heating and (d) telephone services in each year since 1997. [7597]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. Records for utilities go back to 2005-06 and the amounts spent are as follows:
| £ | ||||
| Electricity | Water | Heating | Telephone | |
House of Commons Commission
Members: ICT
John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission how many hon. Members have (a) requested and (b) declined computer equipment provided by PICT in the present Parliament. [7248]
Sir Stuart Bell: As of 8 July 2010, 301 Members had requested new ICT equipment from PICT. No Member has yet declined the ICT equipment that PICT has provided.
Plants
Barbara Keeley: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission how much was spent on flowers and plants in the House of Commons in 2009-10; and how much is estimated to be spent in 2010-11. [6720]
Sir Stuart Bell: Expenditure on flowers and plants in the House of Commons in 2009-10 was £122,227 and estimated expenditure in 2010-11 is £115,939.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Apples
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantity of (a) apples and (b) apple concentrates was imported to the UK in each of the last 10 years; and what quantity was consumed in each such year. [6210]
Mr Paice: The following table provides details of UK imports of apples as recorded in the Official Overseas Trade Statistics for the period 2000-09.
Information on UK imports of apple concentrates is not collected.
| UK imports of apples, 2000-09 | |||
| Tonnes | |||
| Cider apples | Fresh apples, other than cider apples | Apples, fresh-t otal | |
| (1) 2009 data are subject to amendments. Note: Data prepared by Trade Statistics, Economics and Statistics Programme, DEFRA. Source: H M Revenue and Customs | |||
The following table shows the quantity of apples purchased by UK households from 1999 to 2008. Figures from 2009 have not yet been published.
Information on the household consumption of apple concentrates during this time is not available, and we
have no estimate of the quantity of apples going into food manufacturing and catering.
| Household purchase of fresh apples | ||||||||||
| T housand tonnes | ||||||||||
| 1999 | 2000 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
| (1) Estimated. Note: The table covers purchases for household supplies by all UK households. National Food Survey estimates are adjusted to align with the Living Costs and Food Survey. Source: 2001 Family Food Module of the Living Costs and Food Survey; prior to 2001 National Food Survey | ||||||||||
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantity of apples was produced in the UK in each of the last 10 years; and what quantity was consumed in each such year. [6211]
Mr Paice: The following table shows the quantity of apples produced in the UK from 1999 to 2008. Figures for 2009 have not yet been published.
| Apples home production marketed from 1999 to 2008 | ||||||||||
| T housand tonnes( 1) | ||||||||||
| 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
| (1) 'Home Production Marketed' means the quantity of apples grown in the UK that made it to market. Any losses during the growing process are not accounted for in the table. Source: DEFRA publication: Basic Horticulture Statistics | ||||||||||
The following table shows the quantity of apples purchased by UK households from 1999 to 2008. Figures from 2009 have not yet been published. A breakdown estimate of the quantity of apples going into food manufacturing and catering is not available.
| Household purchase of fresh apples | ||||||||||
| T housand tonnes | ||||||||||
| 1999 | 2000 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
| (1) Estimated Note: The table covers purchases for household supplies by all UK households. National Food Survey estimates are adjusted to align with the Living Costs and Food Survey. Source: 2001 Family Food Module of the Living Costs and Food Survey; prior to 2001 National Food Survey | ||||||||||
Boilers: Biofuels
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish a full emissions profile for the use of B30K fuel in domestic boilers, including all air quality pollutants contained in the air quality strategy. [6808]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not hold any information on the emissions profile of the fuel B30K.
Butterflies
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions her Department has had with conservation groups on decreases in the population of butterflies. [7116]
Richard Benyon: Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology provide data on populations of butterflies that we published in "UK Biodiversity Indicators in Your Pocket 2010" on 20 May.
Officials are in regular contact with these organisations to ensure that the indicators of butterfly conservation trends that we publish are accurate and objective.
Officials from DEFRA and Natural England meet Wildlife and Countryside Link regularly-an umbrella body that brings together voluntary organisations in the UK, including Butterfly Conservation, to protect and enhance wildlife, landscape and the marine environment. Officials met Wildlife and Countryside Link earlier this year to discuss progress with commitments to halt biodiversity loss.
Departmental Official Cars
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers in her Department are entitled to the use of (i) a car with a dedicated driver, (ii) a car from the Government car pool and (iii) a taxi ordered through a departmental account. [3205]
Richard Benyon: There are no civil servants or special advisers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs entitled to the use of a car with a dedicated driver nor are any entitled to use a car from the ministerial car pool.
Civil servants and special advisers can use a taxi when this is justified, for instance when no other method of public transport is available or when carrying heavy official papers, baggage or equipment. The Department has an account with the Government Car and Despatch Agency for the provision of such services when required.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Ministers in her Department have used an allocated ministerial car to travel between the Department and the House of Commons on each day since 21 May 2010. [5545]
Richard Benyon: All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 26 May 2010, Official Report, columns 2-3WS, on savings (2010-11), under what budgetary headings the £162 million of savings allocated to her Department will be made. [6834]
Richard Benyon: I would refer the right hon. Member to the information contained on the DEFRA website at the following link:
I quote an extract in answer to his question:
"These in-year efficiencies will include the following elements:
£49 million from Core DEFRA operational efficiencies
Core DEFRA admin-£12 million (5.5%);
IT-£17 million;
Estates-£19 million;
Shared services, knowledge management, performance-£1 million
£45 million equating to a 5% in-year cut in budgets of DEFRA's Arm's Length Bodies
£8 million from reducing funding for Regional Development Agencies
£7.5 million from a reduction in (un-used) grants to Local Authorities for contaminated land
£30 million savings in flood management while still maintaining expenditure at record levels
£23 million from reducing other low value spend:
£5 million from making better use of EU funding for Catchment Sensitive Farming
£9 million from the Rural Development Programme for England including from reducing agri-environment capital payments
£5 million from scaling back IT investment on the Whole Farm Approach
£4 million reflecting the decreasing prevalence of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies disease in recent years."
Environment: Internet
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans (a) to maintain the public availability of the datasets stored on the Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside website and (b) to continue to collect and make publicly available information on environmental schemes and designations in that format; and if she will make a statement. [7293]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA and the Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) project remain committed to maintaining the public availability of the datasets that are currently available through the MAGIC website:
The website is one of the sites that we plan to close as part of the transformational Government website rationalisation process, but I will ensure that the MAGIC service and datasets continue to be made available to the public.
Flood Control: EU Law
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the EU Floods Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risk to be implemented in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [7919]
Richard Benyon: The EU Floods Directive was transposed into law in England and Wales by the Flood Risk Regulations 2009, which came into force on 10 December 2009. The directive has also been transposed through separate legislation in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.
The first stage of the directive is now being implemented in England and Wales. The Environment Agency has issued guidance to lead local flood authorities on how to prepare preliminary assessment reports.
Work is now under way to determine an appropriate method for identifying areas of significant risk, for which flood maps and flood risk management plans will need to be prepared.
Water Supply: Hertfordshire
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the levels of perfluorooctane sulphonate remaining in water supply areas of Hertfordshire as a result of the incident at Buncefield in December 2005. [7117]
Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency continues to monitor for the presence of perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS), as a consequence of the Buncefield explosion in December 2005. This monitoring showed a peak in concentrations of pollutants indicative of fire fighting foam and petrol during 2006. Since 2006 the concentrations have reduced but the Environment Agency's monitoring still shows these pollutants consistently throughout the chalk aquifer, with higher levels under the site itself.
The detection of PFOS in the aquifer has not resulted in any impact on drinking water quality. The quality of drinking water in England is regulated by the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000. The requirements of these regulations are enforced by the Drinking Water Inspectorate. Although standards are not specified for all chemical compounds in existence, the regulations do require that, in order to be considered "wholesome", drinking water must not contain any substance at a level which would constitute a potential danger to human health.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate has issued guidance on the levels of PFOS perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that water companies should act on in order to fulfil their statutory obligations to ensure the safety of drinking water. This guidance was based on independent advice from the Health Protection Agency. Weekly monitoring by the water company of treated drinking water supplied to consumers has shown that detections of PFOS are significantly below trigger levels in place to protect public health.
Wildlife: Crime
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will establish (a) a telephone line and (b) an email system for reporting of suspicious trade in animals and animal products by internet users; [7410]
(2) if she will initiate a campaign to raise the level of awareness of internet users of the regulation of trade in animals and animal products; and what steps she is taking to assist internet users to report suspicious trade; [7411]
(3) if she will bring forward proposals to increase the level of regulation of the internet wildlife trade. [7412]
Richard Benyon: Regulations are in place which make it an offence to display or offer for sale the most endangered species via any medium, including the internet. Nevertheless, the UK is working with the international community, and chairs a convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES) e-commerce group, to assess the best means of reducing or tackling such offences. As part of this process DEFRA will be considering introducing a code of conduct for internet operators to raise awareness of the legal situation, and in doing so take account of the experiences of other countries in drawing up such a code, including the means and merits of a reporting element.
Animal Health's wildlife licensing and registration service (WLRS) already has systems in place for the reporting of suspected illegal trade in CITES listed species and their parts and derivatives, including a telephone number and e-mail address. Suspected illegal trade in CITES and non-CITES listed species can also be reported to the police, or in the case of imports and exports to the HM Revenue and Customs confidential hotline (which is shared with the UK Border Agency).
Scotland
Departmental Speeches
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which (a) (i) civil servants and (ii) special advisers in his Department and (b) other individuals are employed to write speeches for each Minister in his Department. [7394]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office has one civil servant who writes speeches for our Ministers. He also carries out other communications work.
Economic Situation: Scotland
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the decision to raise the standard rate of value added tax (a) before and (b) since the Budget Statement; and what assessment has been made of the effect of that decision on the Scottish economy. [7859]
Michael Moore: I have had numerous discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a variety of subjects of importance to Scotland, both before and since the Budget. The VAT rise is part the Government's credible plan to tackle the largest deficit in peacetime history. Reducing this deficit that the Government inherited will support the recovery, creating the conditions needed for businesses to grow, which will benefit the Scottish economy.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment (a) he and (b) economists in his Department have made of the impact on the cost of living for the poorest people in Scotland of the decision to raise the standard rate of value added tax. [7860]
Michael Moore: The decision to raise the standard rate of value added tax was part of a progressive Budget, and part of a credible plan to tackle the largest budget deficit in peacetime, which this Government inherited. The top fifth of families by expenditure will pay nearly nine times more value added tax than the bottom fifth. The Budget commits to keeping everyday essentials such as food and children's clothing free from VAT.
Papal Visit to Scotland
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with (a) the Roman Catholic Church, (b) Ministerial colleagues and (c) the Scottish Executive on the Papal visit to Scotland in 2010. [7786]
Michael Moore: The right hon. Lord Patten of Barnes is leading on Government arrangements for the Papal visit. Lord Patten has been appointed as the Prime Minister's personal representative and will oversee the co-ordination of all elements for which the Government have responsibility.
Retail Trade: Scotland
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings he (a) had before and (b) has had since the Budget Statement with Scottish retailers on the effect on the retail industry in Scotland of the decision to raise the standard rate of value added tax. [7858]
Michael Moore: I am always willing to hear the representations of Scottish retailers, and the Scotland Office has engaged with Scottish retailers on their importance to the economy. In order to protect the economic recovery, the record budget deficit must be tackled, otherwise it could lead to higher interest rates, more business failures and sharper rises in unemployment.
VAT: Scotland
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the decision to raise the standard rate of value added tax on the cost of living for (a) Scottish families, (b) pensioners in Scotland and (c) unemployed people in Scotland. [7861]
Michael Moore: The rise in VAT is unavoidable if this Government are to act to address years of debt and unsustainable spending. The Budget confirmed that VAT on everyday essentials such as food and children's clothing will remain zero rated. Overall the Budget is fair and progressive-all sections of society contribute to tackling the deficit, but the richest pay more than the poorest.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which organisations he has met in Scotland to discuss the effects on Scotland of the decision to increase the standard rate of value added tax. [7862]
Michael Moore: I have met with numerous organisations to discuss a variety of issues. The Budget was discussed in a recent HM Treasury and Scotland Office seminar, with participants from Scottish business organisations, financial services, academia and the public sector. The VAT rise is unavoidable if this Government are to act to address years of debt and unsustainable spending. Failure to tackle the largest deficit in peacetime, which this Government inherited, could see higher interest rates and no real recovery.
Video Games
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what correspondence he had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) budgetary matters and (b) Government support for the computer and video games industry in advance of the Budget. [6333]
Michael Moore: There has been no formal exchange of correspondence with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the computer and video games industry but I and my officials had discussions with Treasury counterparts on a range of issues ahead of the Budget.
I will speak with both the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport and representatives from the industry in the near future, to discuss how the cuts to corporation tax to 24%, the rise in the employer national insurance threshold and other measures, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his emergency Budget, will stimulate further growth and expansion of this sector.
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings (a) he and (b) officials in his Department had with their Treasury counterparts to discuss (i) the Budget and (ii) support for the computer and video games industry before the Budget Statement of 22 June 2010. [6361]
Michael Moore: There was no specific meeting about the computer and video games industry. However, I and my officials held discussions with Treasury counterparts on a range of issues ahead of the Budget.
I will speak with both the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport and representatives from the industry in the near future, in discuss how the cuts to corporation tax to 24%, the rise in the employer national insurance threshold and other measures, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his emergency Budget, will stimulate further growth and expansion of this sector.
Energy and Climate Change
BP: Gulf of Mexico
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will hold discussions with BP to encourage the provision of training to volunteers to tackle the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. [7810]
Charles Hendry: I am in regular touch with BP about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. I understand the company's partnership with local volunteer agencies provides help with mitigation activities in non-oil contaminated areas. Training is provided for all volunteers.
All oil-contaminated materials will be handled only by Qualified Community Responders and not by volunteers. This is paid work for which training is provided by BP.
More information can be found on the company's website:
Departmental Lighting
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies spent on light bulbs in each year since 1997. [7627]
Gregory Barker: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Marketing
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his (a) Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies spent on logo design in each year since its inception. [7483]
Gregory Barker: The Department spent £75,875 on logo design in 2008-09, £3,200 in 2009-10 and £0 in the current financial year. The Department does not store information on design costs incurred by its non-departmental public bodies and the cost of collating this would be disproportionate.
Departmental Official Cars
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which Ministers in his Department have used an allocated ministerial car to travel between the Department and the House of Commons on each day since 21 May 2010. [5544]
Gregory Barker: All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code
Departmental Training
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies spent on employee awaydays in each year since its inception. [7319]
Gregory Barker: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Energy: Subsidies
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much (a) his Department and its predecessors and (b) its non-departmental public bodies spent on subsidies for gas production in each year since 1997. [6214]
Charles Hendry: No subsidies are paid for gas production in the UK.
Wind Power: Yorkshire and the Humber
Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many wind farms have been built in each constituency in Yorkshire and the Humber in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [7857]
Charles Hendry: The Government do not hold information on renewable energy schemes by parliamentary constituency. The number of onshore wind farms, not including sites with less than two turbines, and not including sites with turbines under 10 kW, built in each district in Yorkshire and Humber in each of the last five years is as follows:
| District | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
The Government are committed to the development of wind energy in the UK. As an island nation we have outstanding wind resources and wind energy is an indigenous source of energy which is needed to meet our renewable energy and climate change goals. The wind industry can be a key player in creating the investment, exports and jobs we need to bring back economic prosperity, and the UK is already a world leader in offshore wind.
We also want communities and individuals to benefit from the increase in renewable energy, including wind power, and to own a stake in our collective low carbon future.
This is why we committed in the coalition programme for government to encouraging more community-owned renewable energy and allowing communities that host renewable energy projects to keep the additional business rates they generate.
Attorney-General
Departmental Speeches
Angela Smith: To ask the Attorney-General which (a) (i) civil servants and (ii) special advisers in the Law Officers' Departments and (b) other individuals are employed to write speeches for each Minister in those Departments. [7304]
The Solicitor-General: None of the Law Officers' Departments employ a specialised speech-writer. Speeches when required are prepared by departmental staff in addition to their other duties.
The Attorney-General's Office does not employ any special advisers.
Prime Minister
Official Residences
Pete Wishart: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what (a) refurbishment and (b) redecoration has been undertaken of residential properties in the gift of the Government since 6 May 2010; and at what cost; [6318]
(2) what residential properties in the gift of the Government have been allocated to Ministers; which Minister has been allocated each accommodation; and which grace and favour properties will remain empty. [6319]
The Prime Minister: I currently have the use of the flat above No. 10 Downing street but will be moving into the residence above No. 11 Downing street when it has been refurbished. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will have use of the flat above No. 10 Downing street from the summer. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has been allocated the use of the residence at No. 1 Carlton Gardens. The flats at Admiralty House are currently unoccupied.
For costs for the refurbishment of the No. 11 Downing street flat I refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by the official spokesman on 24 May 2010. A copy of the transcript is available on the Number 10 website at:
No refurbishment or redecoration has taken place in the flat above No. 10 Downing street or the flats at Admiralty House. Costs associated with 1 Carlton Gardens are a matter for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Representation of Welsh interests
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Wales on representation of Welsh interests on the (a) Social Justice Committee, (b) Economic Affairs Committee, (c) Coalition Committee, (d) European Affairs Committee and (e) National Security Council; and if he will make a statement. [7209]
The Prime Minister: I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Wales about issues which affect the people of Wales.
Culture, Media and Sport
Arts: Brighton
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will visit creative and digital industries in Brighton to discuss the development of those industries; and if he will make a statement. [7162]
Mr Vaizey: I will be visiting Brighton next week to attend the Develop Conference, which brings together the European video game developer community.
Video games are one of our most successful creative industries and I look forward to hearing about the latest developments in this sector.
I understand that many of Brighton's leading video game developers will be attending, and I hope to be able to meet some of them.
Camelot Group
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will undertake an assessment of potential effects on levels of gambling of Camelot offering bill payment services through national lottery terminals. [7803]
John Penrose: The decision on whether to allow Camelot, the national lottery operator, to undertake any ancillary activity, including offering bill payment and mobile telephone top-up facilities through national lottery terminals, is one for the National Lottery Commission (NLC).
The NLC is currently considering responses to its public consultation on the proposal from Camelot to offer commercial services. As part of its considerations, the NLC will take into account the potential effect on players.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will require the National Lottery Commission to report to Parliament on the reasons for its decision on whether or not to allow Camelot to enter into the bill payment market when that decision is made. [7804]
John Penrose: The National Lottery Commission will publish a statement of reasons alongside its decision which will explain the reasons behind its decision. This document will be made available on the Commission's website:
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will estimate the number of lottery transactions required to be made to meet the projections in Camelot's proposal to contribute to good causes from lottery receipts; and if he will assess the effect of any resultant increase in transactions on the lottery (a) playing and (b) bill payment services at peak times. [7805]
John Penrose: The projections set out by Camelot in its proposal to offer bill payments and mobile top-ups do not include any uplift in national lottery sales. The higher contributions to good causes projected are based only on the expected bill payment and mobile top-up transactions.
The National Lottery Commission is considering as part of its assessment of Camelot's proposals to enter the bill payment and mobile top-up market, what the potential impact is on the core business of the national lottery. If the Commission were to give consent to Camelot's proposals, it would ensure that appropriate monitoring measures are in place to assess the effect of commercial services on ticket sales.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department has been informed of whether Camelot and Post Office Ltd have made an agreement to provide subsidy for sub-postmasters should Camelot be successful in its application to enter into the bill payment and post office services market; and if he will make a statement. [7806]
John Penrose: The Department is not aware of any such plans.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department has commissioned or evaluated research into which socio-economic groups are more likely to make bill payments and top-up mobile telephones using electronic bill payment services in local retail outlets. [7807]
John Penrose: The Department has made no such assessment. The National Lottery Commission is responsible for assessing the proposals from the National Lottery operator to offer services of this type.
Copyright: Music
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received on extending the copyright term for music recordings; and if he will make a statement. [7266]
Mr Vaizey: Baroness Wilcox, the Minister with responsibility for Intellectual Property in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and I have both received representations from the music industry (UK Music, BPI and PPL) on a number of occasions recently about progress in securing an agreement in Europe on this issue.
The Government have confirmed their support for this proposal, but it has not so far received the necessary support at EU level which would be required for it to become law.
Film: Finance
Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2010, Official Report, column 15W, on the British Film Institute: UK Film Council, when he expects to announce the outcome of his reassessment of Government support for film. [7988]
Mr Vaizey: I intend to announce details of the review soon.
Departmental Offices
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will take steps to relocate officials working in his Department from central London to Bassetlaw. [6566]
John Penrose: There are currently no plans to relocate this Department's officials to Bassetlaw.
Olympic Games 2012: Construction
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the estimated gross construction cost is of (a) the 11 apartment blocks in the Olympic Village and (b) the Olympic Village. [6931]
Hugh Robertson: The gross cost for construction of the residential blocks of the Olympic village is currently estimated at £1.008 billion as at 31 March 2010, including ground-floor retail units, underground parking, landscaping, games-time overlay (such as additional partitions and bathrooms) and post-games transformation costs.
The gross construction cost of the entire Olympic village is currently estimated at £1.090 billion, including the community projects of the Chobham Academy, a polyclinic and multi-storey car park.
The forecast public sector funding contribution by the ODA towards the overall cost of the village (including sales and marketing costs which are not included in the figures above) is £687 million, as set out in the most recent quarterly economic report published in May 2010.
Olympic Games 2012: Dartford
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many businesses located in Dartford constituency have been awarded contracts for work on London 2012 Olympics projects. [6842]
Hugh Robertson: Information on businesses, registered in the Dartford constituency that have directly supplied the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is available in the business section of the London 2012 website under the heading ODA Suppliers, where my hon. Friend will be able to find suppliers listed by venue and sector:
Olympic Games 2012: East Midlands
Jessica Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the net financial effect on the east midlands of the London 2012 Olympics. [6662]
Hugh Robertson: I have not made a specific estimate of the net financial effect from the 2012 games on the east midlands. However, the east midlands stands to gain from the wide range of opportunities created by the 2012 games, through businesses winning games-related work, increased tourism and cultural celebrations.
Information on businesses in the east midlands that have directly supplied the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is available in the business section of the London 2012 website under the heading ODA Suppliers, where my hon. Friend will be able to find suppliers listed by venue and sector:
Olympic Games 2012: Hertfordshire
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many residents of (a) St Albans and (b) Hertfordshire are employed (i) by the London Organisational Committee of the Olympic Games, (ii) by the Olympic Delivery Authority and (iii) at the London 2012 Olympics site; what steps his Department is taking to increase employment opportunities created by the hosting of the London 2012 Olympics; and how many jobs in Hertfordshire he expects to be created by the London 2012 Olympics. [6887]
Hugh Robertson: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd (LOCOG) is a private company and so does not report its staff figures to my Department. Its annual report, which includes information about the numbers of staff it employs, is available at:
As at May 2010 the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) had 218 directly employed members of staff, of which one resided in St Albans and five in Hertfordshire.
The ODA publishes information on the Olympic park contractor work force in its quarterly "Jobs, Futures, Skills" newsletter. This provides a breakdown of the work force resident in the host boroughs, London, and outside of London. The latest publication shows that at the end of March 2010 of a work force of 6,442, 41% reside outside of London. It is unable to provide a breakdown for local level outside of the host boroughs.
The ODA forecasts that 30,000 people will work on the Olympic park and village over the life of the construction programme. LOCOG estimates that during games-time it will require a work force of approximately 6,000 paid staff, up to 70,000 volunteers and 100,000 contracted staff. There has been no specific assessment of the numbers that will be employed from Hertfordshire.
The ODA and its partners have put a range of measures in place to help local people in particular access training and employment opportunities on the site. These include investing in training and apprenticeship opportunities. Vacancies are offered exclusively to the host borough employment brokerages and Jobcentre Plus offices in the area for a period of 48 hours. Vacancies unfilled after this time are advertised across London for a further 24 hours and after this are made available across the UK through the national Jobcentre Plus network. LOCOG will publish its employment and skills strategy later this year.
Transport
A3
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what projection he has made of the traffic levels on the A3 between Liphook and Petersfield following the opening of the Hindhead tunnel; and what those traffic levels were on that stretch of road in each of the last five years. [6812]
Mike Penning: It is forecast that traffic levels on the A3 between Liphook and Petersfield following the opening of the Hindhead tunnel will be around 38,000 vehicles per average day.
By comparison the flow on the A3 in the five years between 2004 and 2009 remained consistent at 35,000 vehicles per average day.
The A3 Hindhead scheme, including a 1.2 mile tunnel under the Devils Punchbowl Site of Special Scientific Interest, started construction in January 2007 and is planned to open in early July 2011.
The section of A3 for which traffic flows have been requested lies to the south of the scheme.
The increase in traffic on scheme opening is largely due to drivers returning to the A3 from other routes used to avoid the congestion at the A3/A287 traffic lights in Hindhead.
The forecast includes a relatively small amount of traffic generated as a result of the journey time improvement and reliability delivered by the scheme. This aspect of the increase is small, due to network constraints through Guildford and at M25 J10.
Departmental Offices
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to relocate officials working in his Department from central London to Bassetlaw. [6554]
Norman Baker: The location of public sector activity and plans for the Government's estate will be considered alongside other public spending issues over the course of the spending review.
Departmental Official Cars
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what conditions apply to former Ministers with official cars using them to attend party political events; [5980]
(2) what the cost has been of providing official Government cars to former Ministers since the general election. [5981]
Mike Penning: The use of official cars by former Ministers is exceptional and on the advice of the security authorities. Use of official cars by former Ministers continues to be governed by the principles set out in Section 10 of the Ministerial Code.
In line with successive Administrations, the Government do not comment on security issues.
Freight: Carbon Emissions
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the effect on levels of carbon dioxide emissions consequent on the transfer of a kilometre tonne of freight from road to rail transport. [7830]
Mike Penning: In April 2009 the Department for Transport published its mode shift benefit values, which came into effect on 1 April 2010 and will apply until 31 March 2015. These are designed to accurately reflect the costs to society of HGVs on the roads and the economic and environmental benefits-including carbon dioxide reductions-to be gained from shifting freight from road to rail or water.
Large Goods Vehicles: A1
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of the merits of prohibiting heavy goods vehicles from travelling in the outside lane on the stretches of the A1 where the road is a dual carriageway. [5480]
Mike Penning [holding answer 6 July 2010]: The Highways Agency does consider and, following successful trials, has implemented restrictions on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) using the overtaking lanes on motorways and trunk roads to ease congestion. Examples of this are on the M42 between J10 and 11, and the A14 in Northamptonshire.
Similarly, in May 2010 the Highways Agency made permanent restrictions on two sections on the A1(M) southbound in County Durham at junction 63 to north of junction 62 at Lumley Road Bridge, Great Lumley
and at junction 61 north of Coxhoe to north of junction 60 at Bishop Middleham. At these sections HGVs are restricted from using lane 2 (the right hand lane in the direction of travel) between 7.00 am and 7.00 pm, seven days a week.
The agency has also considered introducing overtaking restrictions for HGVs on other sections of the A1, including A1 south of the A57 at Markham Moor; A1 south of Grantham; A1 south of Stamford (between the A6121 and Carpenter's Lodge Roundabout); A1 junction 49 (junction of A1/A168) to start of A1(M) at junction 56; end of A1(M) at junction 65 to A1/A697 junction; B6345 overbridge at Felton, Northumberland to approximately one mile north of B1340 overbridge at Denwick, Northumberland; and the dual carriageway section near North Charlton, Northumberland. However, analysis has shown there to be either insufficient justification or an adverse impact on safety for traffic emerging from side roads at these locations, thus discounting the introduction of HGV overtaking restrictions.
When considering whether to prohibit heavy goods vehicles from lane 2 on the A1 dual carriageway the Highways Agency considers whether:
there is insufficient HGV traffic volume;
there are frequent at-grade junctions that break the flow of HGVs naturally;
the topography of the area is fairly flat;
the gradient is only for short lengths.
Motorways: Closures
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to inform motorists who are not in the immediate vicinity of motorway closures that closures are taking place; and if he will make a statement. [3484]
Mike Penning [holding answer 22 June 2010]: The Highways Agency already takes a variety of steps to inform motorists about both closures and other events that might have an impact on their journey on the motorway and trunk road network.
For drivers who have already embarked on their journey, variable message signs (VMS) are used to inform them of any problems ahead. These can be used both in the immediate vicinity of the closure, to give drivers useful advice and information, and at a more strategic level, to suggest alternative routes that will take road users around the closure, and thus prevent excessive delays.
Where closures are planned as part of major works, advanced warning signs are used at the roadside to inform drivers, giving them the opportunity to plan their travel more effectively.
In addition to VMS, information relating to road conditions on the Highways Agency's network can be sought through a variety of media channels prior to starting any journey. Such channels include the Traffic England website, accessible at:
a Highways Agency iPhone app, Traffic Radio (available on DAB) and various telephone lines. Finally, the Highways Agency's National Traffic Control Centre passes information on a continuous basis to media partners who use this in travel bulletins on TV and radio.
Railways: Scotland
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Scottish Executive Ministers on funding from his Department's Railways for All Fund for improvements in access to railway stations in Scotland; and how much funding for such improvements will be provided in 2010-11. [7037]
Mrs Villiers: We have not discussed Railways for All funding with Scottish Executive Ministers, but officials meet regularly to discuss the programme. £390,000 has been allocated to Transport Scotland from the Department for Transport's Access for All Fund for Small Schemes in 2010-11. A decision on any further spending will be made once the comprehensive spending review has been carried out.
In addition, 13 stations in Scotland are receiving accessible step free routes under the main Access for All Fund which is delivered by Network Rail and funded by addition to the Regulatory Asset Base.
Railways: Standards
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the figures for (a) punctuality and reliability and (b) passengers in excess numbers were for rail services on the St Albans to London route in each month since November 2009. [7115]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport does not hold disaggregated performance data for St Albans to London. However the following table shows the public performance measure (PPM) for all First Capital Connect services since November 2009. The Period PPM column shows performance in the period itself, while the PPM MAA column shows the moving annual average for the previous 12 months. PPM combines figures for punctuality and reliability into a single performance measure.
| % | ||
| Period | Period PPM | PPM MAA |
Information relating to passengers in excess numbers for rail services on the St Albans to London route is not measured on the basis sought and is therefore not available. The information requested is currently published annually in aggregated form by the Office of Rail Regulation within its 'National Rail Trends Yearbook'. The latest published data relates to passenger journeys in 2008-09. Chapter 7 of the latest update of 'National Rail Trends' contains this data and is available on the Office of Rail Regulation website at:
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