| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
24 Jan 2011 : Column 61W—continued
Energy and Climate Change
Combined Heat and Energy: Hospitals
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to (a) promote the use of combined heat and power schemes in NHS hospitals and (b) improve energy efficiency in the health care sector. [34919]
Gregory Barker: The Department supports the health care sector in its efforts to improve its energy efficiency. Current activities include a workshop facilitated under the CHP Focus initiative, specifically targeted at NHS managers in order to promote take-up of combined heat and power (CHP) in the NHS estate. CHP Focus also comprises a free website and helpline service available to those wishing to deliver CHP, such as NHS trusts.
The Department also supports the work of the Department of Health and the Cabinet Office in promoting carbon reduction and energy efficiency solutions for the NHS and works closely with the NHS Sustainable Development Unit to promote awareness and carbon management across health care providers.
Combined Heat and Power
Mrs McGuire: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the conversion efficiency of combined heat and power installations; and if he will make a statement. [34769]
Gregory Barker: The conversion efficiency of combined heat and power installations is undertaken within the UK's CHP quality assurance programme (CHPQA), the means by which the Government assess the environmental performance of CHP plants to ensure they deliver primary energy savings of at least 10%.
The conversion factors for the most recent gas-fired CHP plants certified under CHPQA demonstrate electrical efficiencies in the order of 33-39% and heat efficiencies in the order of 40-45%, depending on the size and type of the plant.
Departmental Pay
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department holds on the number of subcontracted staff servicing his Department who were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available. [34820]
Gregory Barker: The Department does not hold information on the number of subcontracted staff or their pay rates. The Department includes clauses within contracts to ensure suppliers provide the services in accordance with good industry practice and legal requirements.
Departmental Public Appointments
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what public appointments he has made since his appointment; and to what payments each person so appointed is entitled. [35421]
Gregory Barker: In October 2010 the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change appointed two executive members to the board of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA). One of these appointments was a reappointment for a second five-year term. Executive members of GEMA do not receive additional remuneration above their Ofgem salaries.
The Secretary of State reappointed the Chair and 12 members of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) for a second term of office from 1 November 2010. The CoRWM Chair, with a time commitment of approximately 1.5 days per week, receives remuneration of £450 per day. The Deputy Chair and remaining 11 members, with an average time commitment of one day per week, receive £380 per day and £300 per day respectively. Committee members are
also entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred during the course of their work.
The Secretary of State appointed to the Civil Nuclear Police Authority in January 2011 an industry representative from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The appointment was on an ex officio basis and is unpaid.
Energy Supply
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the installed energy generation capacity is of each of the six largest (a) coal, (b) gas, (c) nuclear and (d) renewable energy producers as a percentage of the total. [35318]
Charles Hendry: The following table shows the proportions of total installed capacity of the six largest (in terms of installed capacity) coal, gas, nuclear and renewables producers, as at May 2010.
| Percentage | ||
| Company | Share of Capacity | |
Shares of capacity are taken from data in table 5.11 of the Digest of UK Energy Statistics, 2010, available at:
Energy: EU Action
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his objectives are for the European Council meeting on energy security in February 2011. [35626]
Charles Hendry:
The Prime Minister will be representing the UK at the European Council and he will be taking forward the UK objectives, which are: setting a long-term
strategic vision for the move to a secure, sustainable and competitive low carbon economy by 2050; providing renewed political momentum to such a move; and agreeing on practical action to facilitate the necessary infrastructure investment, to improve how EU energy markets work and increase their integration, to support low carbon technologies and to encourage a step change in energy efficiency. The Council should also endorse the importance of the EU's external energy policy and the role of both the Commission and member states in this.
Energy: Meters
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's policy is on the provision of adequate and prior notice of tariff changes by energy supply companies to people who pay for electricity through pre-payment meters. [35739]
Charles Hendry: The Government believe that domestic energy consumers should receive advance notification before a price increase becomes effective. We therefore support Ofgem's proposed licence modifications to ensure this and have made it clear that we will use powers in the Energy Act 2010 if Ofgem is unable to introduce these changes in a timely manner.
Energy: Production
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the potential contribution of sub-critical reactors to energy production. [35768]
Charles Hendry: We are aware that there are a number of reactor design proposals around the world, however, it is ultimately for industry to decide what type of reactor systems it will invest in.
As yet, industry has not indicated that they would be looking to develop and deploy sub-critical nuclear reactor designs in the UK in the near term future.
The Government's chief scientific adviser, Sir John Beddington, recently co-ordinated an assessment of the prospects for research into advanced accelerator driven thorium reactors, one type of sub-critical technology, with input from a number of sources. The conclusion was that, while the science is reasonably sound, the technology would carry major technology and commercial risks. The assessment further concluded that, for the UK, a watching brief on the area would be appropriate, but that it should not be a priority area for research in the context of constrained budgets.
The UK's National Nuclear Laboratory has also carried out an independent assessment of the thorium fuel cycle which included analysis on the use of accelerator driven systems (ADS). The report can also be found at:
and notes in relation to ADS that the practical difficulties are "considered a major barrier to commercial implementation".
The Secretary of State has instructed officials to commission work to look further into the possible benefits of next generation reactor designs including
the use of thorium fuel. We are currently considering the details of this work and we hope to include further assessment of ADS technology in the evaluation.
Energy: Profits
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent advice he has received from Ofgem on levels of profits achieved by companies in the domestic energy supply sector. [35741]
Charles Hendry: Ofgem is required by the Government to produce quarterly price reports that examine the relationship between wholesale energy costs and standard tariff energy bills for a typical customer. The latest report published in November 2010 showed large increases in supplier margins, due to recent increases in retail prices. We are disappointed on behalf of consumers by this development and welcome the announcement of Ofgem's review of the retail market. Ofgem will report on this review in March of this year. This announcement is available online at:
Fuel Oil: Competition
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) if he will request (a) the Office of Fair Trading and (b) the Competition Commission to launch an investigation into allegations of anti-competitive practices within the heating oil market; [35333]
(2) if he will investigate allegations of anti-competitive practices in the heating oil market; [35334]
(3) whether Ofgem is required to undertake any social obligation monitoring in respect of companies operating in the heating oil market; [35335]
(4) what regulatory regime applies to companies operating in the heating oil market. [35339]
Charles Hendry: The UK has an open and competitive market for heating oil. In contrast to gas and electricity markets, the heating oil market is not regulated by Ofgem. This is because Ofgem was set up to regulate the natural monopolies for gas and electricity distribution. There is no natural monopoly for heating oil distribution to consumers with a competitive supply market. Correspondingly Ofgem has no responsibilities in respect of companies operating in the heating oil market. Many suppliers do offer payment plans to spread costs over the year.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) monitors the heating oil market for any indications that consumer or competition legislation has been breached and considers all complaints and representations carefully.
In response to the OFT's consultation on its annual plan to determine its work programme for the coming year, and mindful of the increases in heating oil prices during the recent severe weather, I have written to the OFT to ask it to bring forward its competition and consumer study into off grid energy.
Fuel Oil: Costs
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations he has received on cost of domestic household heating oil; and if he will make a statement. [35018]
Charles Hendry: I have received various representations on the cost of domestic household heating oil during the recent severe weather.
The Government are very sympathetic to the predicament of those faced with rising costs. If there is evidence of uncompetitive practices, this should be referred to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) which has responsibility for investigations into anti-competitive practise and market abuse. The OFT continues to consider all complaints and representations carefully and is monitoring for any indications that consumer or competition legislation has been breached.
In response to the OFT's consultation on its annual plan to determine its work programme for the coming year, and mindful of the increases in heating oil prices during the recent severe weather, I have written to the OFT to ask it to bring forward its competition and consumer study into off grid energy.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to take to request oil companies to deliver amounts of domestic heating oil in smaller quantities to enable the most vulnerable to pay. [35054]
Charles Hendry: Bulk supply by tanker is the most economic form of delivery for heating oil. The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers has advised that the majority of meters fitted to road tankers used to deliver heating oil have a minimum delivery volume of 500 litres. The accuracy of the tank meter means there are minimum volumes for delivery and while pre-packaged smaller quantities of heating oil are available from some suppliers, the price per litre from packaged product is often significantly higher, due to the additional packaging storage and distribution costs incurred by the supplier.
Many suppliers also have payment plans to spread costs over the year.
In response to the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) consultation on its annual plan to determine its work programme for the coming year, and mindful of the increases in heating oil prices during the recent severe weather, I have written to the OFT to ask it to bring forward its competition and consumer study into off grid energy.
Fuel Oil: Regulation
George Eustice: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward proposals for regulation of the heating oil market by Ofgem. [34888]
Charles Hendry: The regulation of gas and electricity markets promotes competition and regulates the monopoly companies which run the electricity and gas networks. There is no natural monopoly for supply and distribution in the heating oil market.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) continues to consider all complaints and representations carefully, and monitor for indications that consumer or competition legislation has been breached.
In response to the OFT's consultation on its annual plan to determine its work programme for the coming year, and mindful of the increases in heating oil prices during the recent severe weather, I have written to the OFT to ask it to bring forward its competition and consumer study into off grid energy.
Heating: Rural Areas
Rory Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to reduce the cost of heating for those in rural communities. [34927]
Charles Hendry: I have received various representations on the cost of domestic household heating oil during the recent severe weather.
The Government are very sympathetic to the predicament of those faced with rising costs. If there is evidence of uncompetitive practices, this should be referred to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) which has responsibility for investigations into anti-competitive practise and market abuse. The OFT continues to consider all complaints and representations carefully and is monitoring for any indications that consumer or competition legislation has been breached.
In response to the OFT's consultation on its annual plan to determine its work programme for the coming year, and mindful of the increases in heating oil prices during the recent severe weather, I have written to the OFT to ask it to bring forward its competition and consumer study into off grid energy.
Methane: Natural Gas
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what (a) licensing, (b) planning and (c) environmental consents need to be secured by developers before any exploratory drilling for (i) coalbed methane and (ii) shale gas proceeds; and whether the Climate Change Committee will consider the effects of the extraction of (A) shale gas and (B) coalbed methane. [34851]
Charles Hendry: It is the responsibility of each particular company to identify and comply with all legal and regulatory provisions that impinge upon him when carrying out operations of any kind. It is not possible to list every such provision that might arise, but in a typical case of a company seeking to explore for or produce hydrocarbons onshore in the UK, all the following bodies and provisions will have to be considered:
the Department of Energy and Climate Change, which administers a licensing system under the Petroleum Act 1998, and which authorises each particular drilling and
development activity;
the planning authority (generally the local authority), from which the company would require planning permission;
the relevant environmental agency (in England and Wales, the Environment Agency, and in Scotland, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency) who regulate discharges to the environment as well being a statutory consultee in the planning process;
the Health and Safety Executive which regulates the process safety aspects of this work, which contributes to mitigating the risk of environmental risks; and
the Coal Authority (in the case of coalbed methane) which regulates access to the nation's coal.
It is not for me to say what issues the Committee on Climate Change will consider.
Renewable Energy: Finance
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate his Department has made of the full system cost to the public purse of meeting the UK's contribution to the EU renewable energy target for 2020 through (a) nuclear, (b) carbon capture and storage coal, (c) onshore wind, (d) offshore wind, (e) tidal and (f) solar technologies. [34836]
Charles Hendry [holding answer 20 January 2011]: It is estimated that meeting the UK 2020 15% renewable energy target may require around 30% of electricity to come from renewable sources, but there is no target for the electricity sector, nor for individual technologies. Onshore wind, offshore, tidal and solar technologies are expected to contribute to meeting the target, incurring expenditure through the renewables obligation (RO) and feed-in tariffs (FITs) that have been defined by the Office for National Statistics as 'tax and spend'. Nuclear and carbon capture and storage coal are not classified as renewables and will not be able to contribute to the 2020 target.
The following table shows the estimated cumulative expenditure from 2011 to 2020 through the RO and FITs on onshore wind, offshore wind, tidal and solar technologies.
| Technology | Expenditure through RO and FITs (2010 prices discounted to 2011) (£ billion) |
| Source: DECC calculations based on 2009 modelling by Redpoint and the lead scenario in the Final FITs Impact Assessment published in February 2010 | |
This is based on 2009 and 2010 analysis of one potential scenario amongst many. The exact shares of effort between sectors and technologies will depend on how investors respond to the renewable financial incentives put in place, and the relative success in overcoming non-financial barriers to renewables deployment such as planning, supply chain and grid issues.
We are currently reviewing the level of support for all renewable electricity technologies under the RO, and will consult on any changes to RO bands this summer. As part of that process, we have asked our consultants Arup and Ernst & Young to provide updated assumptions on potential deployment and costs for each renewable electricity technology. The Government are also currently consulting on reforms to the electricity market, including options for a phased transition from the RO to a feed-in tariff for large-scale generation. Both of these developments are expected to change the Government's assessments of the total public cost of meeting the UK's share of the
2020 renewables target. The Government are committed to controlling the cost of increasing the deployment of renewable technologies and have brought forward the review of the renewable obligation mechanism.
Note that these figures represent the total level of public support(1). The Renewable Energy Strategy 2009 published lower public support cost figures based on the additional level of public support resulting from the increase in renewables ambition, on a different price basis.
(1) The costs of the renewables obligation and feed-in tariffs fall on electricity suppliers who pass them on to electricity consumers. In the case of FITs, public support costs are estimated in 'net' terms ie net of the value of electricity exported back to the grid.
Sheffield Forgemasters
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 20 December 2010, Official Report, column 981W, on Sheffield Forgemasters, what the dates of his discussions with ministerial colleagues were; which Ministers were involved; whether the discussions were part of a formal meeting; whether minutes or notes were taken; what the outcomes of the discussions were; and whether the discussions are ongoing. [35006]
Charles Hendry: The Secretary of State regularly discusses a wide variety of issues with ministerial colleagues.
There were no formal discussions on Sheffield Forgemasters and therefore there is no record of these discussions. Following the decision to withdraw the loan officials worked with the company to try to help to achieve a private sector solution as reported at the time the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise on 8 July 2010, Official Report, column 503.
Solar Energy
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 11 January 2011, Official Report, column 259W, on solar energy, whether he intends to intervene to prevent any (a) applications for solar farms currently in planning and (b) future applications to the feed-in tariffs scheme from proceeding. [35007]
Charles Hendry: Following the spending review announcement last October, and our concerns about proposed large industrial-scale green field solar farms distorting the available funding for roof top and other innovative solar technologies, my officials are monitoring the situation closely. We stand ready to take measures to limit the access of such schemes to FITs if that is shown to be necessary.
The Government will not act retrospectively and any changes implemented will only affect new entrants into the FITs scheme. Installations which are already accredited for FITs will not be affected.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 11 January 2011, Official Report, column 259W, on solar energy, what proportion of feed-in tariff funds for solar photovoltaics have been allocated to (a) individual households, (b) community schemes, (c) non-community based solar farms and (d) other schemes in each quarter since the scheme began; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of funding to be allocated to each such category of scheme in each quarter until the review date of the scheme. [35008]
Charles Hendry: The information is not available in the format requested. Quarterly statistics on feed-in tariffs (FITs) are published by both DECC and Ofgem and currently cover the first two quarters of the FITs scheme (April to September 2010). This confirms that of the 10,531 solar photovoltaic installations accredited for FITs in that period, 99.2% were domestic, 0.4% commercial, 0.4% community and there was one industrial scheme (under 0.01%). The total FITs payments over this period for all technologies was £2,686,712.55.
Under the FITs scheme, funds are not allocated in the manner described. However, the analysis and projections undertaken by the previous Administration which informed the FITs impact assessment suggested that in the first three years of the scheme (April 2010 to March 2013) only PV installations of 0-4kW would be incentivised under the scheme.
Health
Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) males and (b) females are registered as alcohol-dependent in (i) England, (ii) the North East and (iii) Easington constituency. [35261]
Anne Milton: There is no scheme or requirement for registration by alcoholics with the national health service. The adult psychiatric morbidity survey, 'Adult Psychiatric Morbidity in England, 2007' (APMS), was published in January 2009, covering adults living in private households in England. It includes information on the prevalence of alcohol use and dependence by age, sex, region and other factors. National and regional estimates of the number and percentage of alcohol dependent males and females are in the following table. No estimates are available below regional level.
| Estimate of the number and percentage of alcohol dependent( 1) males and females nationally and in the north-east, 2007 | ||||
| Males aged 16 or over | Females aged 16 or over | |||
| Estimated number | Estimated percentage | Estimated number | Estimated percentage | |
| (1) Scoring 16 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test | ||||
Blood Diseases: Health Services
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to promote the professional development of sickle cell anaemia practitioners; if he will assess the merits of making the Sickle Cell Adult and Child Care Standards a minimum requirement for practitioners, with penalties in place for non-compliance; and if he will make a statement. [34881]
Anne Milton: The content and standard of health care training is the responsibility of the professional regulators. Their role is that of custodian of quality standards in education and practice. These bodies have a responsibility to ensure that health care practitioners are equipped to deal with the problems they will encounter in practice.
The Department is aware of the need to ensure perceived areas of weakness in training curricula in respect of sickle cell anaemia are addressed. For that reason, in 2010 health officials met with representatives of the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia All-Party Parliamentary Group and other relevant organisations, including the health Royal Colleges to promote awareness and the appropriate coverage of these conditions in training curricula. As a result curricula were reviewed and a number of changes and additions have been implemented and arrangements established to co-ordinate future liaison and proposals to raise awareness of sickle cell and thalassaemia.
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the ability of people diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia to access appropriate treatment; whether he has assessed the merits of increasing the level of resources available for such purposes; and if he will make a statement. [34882]
Anne Milton: The Department has made no such assessments. Responsibility for access to treatment, and the resourcing, planning, delivery and improvements in services for people diagnosed with sickle cell and thalassaemia are the responsibility of local commissioners and providers.
The Department has supported a range of initiatives to improve access to quality services for sickle cell and thalassaemia working with key partners, including funding the East Midlands Specialised Commissioning Group to produce standards of care for trusts and service models for commissioners in high and low prevalence areas and integrated pathways of care for patients.
The development of a national screening programme for sickle cell and thalassaemia has ensured that all expectant women (and fathers-to-be where relevant) are offered screening for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia. In addition all newborns are offered screening for sickle cell. This allows newly born infants with sickle cell disease to receive a definitive diagnosis of their condition, ensuring that prompt and specific treatment can begin immediately.
Screening, combined with effective follow-up and treatment, helps ensure that babies with sickle cell disease stay well. Out of 669,427 babies tested in England in 2008-09, 360 babies received a screen positive result.
The Department has also supported the development of a competence framework for nurses caring for those with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia to ensure the highest standard of care is provided at all times.
Note:
Figures provided by the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme.
Cancer
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the average time a cancer patient will wait from diagnosis to an appointment with a specialist in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012. [35196]
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time is for a patient to see a cancer specialist in (a) Wirral primary care trust, (b) primary care trusts in the North West and (c) England. [35296]
Paul Burstow: "Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer", published on 12 January, has confirmed that the current cancer waiting time standards are clinically justified and should be retained. This follows a full review of the evidence base supporting cancer waiting times. A copy of the Strategy has already been placed in the Library.
In the most recent period for which statistics are available (Quarter Two 2010-11), 95% of patients in England urgently referred with suspected cancer by their general practitioner (GP) were seen by a specialist within two weeks. For primary care trusts (PCTs) in the North West, this figure was 95.8% and for patients served by Wirral PCT the figure was 97.6%. In England, 98.4% of patients were treated 31 days from diagnosis to first treatment for all cancers.
The NHS Constitution includes the right to see a specialist within two weeks of urgent GP referral, where cancer is suspected, or for the NHS to take all reasonable steps to offer a range of alternative providers where this is not possible. "The Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2011-12" confirms that patient rights under the constitution remain in place.
Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether cancer patients are to be included in the group of patients with a long-term condition to be offered a care plan as proposed in his Department's consultation on choice and control in the NHS; [35432]
(2) whether cancer is to be included as part of the long-term conditions outcome measure in the new NHS outcomes framework; [35433]
(3) whether a commitment to care plans for cancer survivors is to be included in his Department's refreshed cancer reform strategy. [35434]
Paul Burstow:
All people living with one or more long-term conditions, including those with cancer, should be offered a personalised care plan to support improved choice and control. The NHS Outcomes Framework includes a domain for long-term conditions defined as conditions that are not cured but are managed using therapy and/or medication; this includes cancer. 'Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer', published on 12 January 2011, sets out the principles for improved care and
support for cancer survivors that the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative has developed. These principles include a care plan following cancer treatment. A copy of the strategy has already been placed in the Library.
Care Homes: Finance
Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals his Department has for the future funding of residential care home places. [33816]
Paul Burstow: In July 2010, the Government established the independent Commission on the Funding of Care and Support to make recommendations on how to achieve an affordable and sustainable funding system or systems for care and support for all adults in England, both in the home and other settings.
The Commission is due to report by July this year. More information about its work can be found online at:
Carers
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department will provide for the training of carers after March 2011. [35441]
Paul Burstow: The provision of training and other similar support to carers is largely a matter for local determination, by the national health service and local authorities.
The Caring with Confidence programme ended in September 2010. Government announced in October 2010 that over £4 million previously earmarked for the programme was being reinvested across 11 projects, these include:
£1.8 million funding to a range of voluntary sector organisations supporting carers including the Afiya Trust, in recognition of the particular needs and challenges faced by carers from ethnic minority communities;
over £1 million funding for training and carer awareness raising for key health and social professionals being delivered by Skills for Care and Skills for Health and training for general practitioners (GPs) and their practice staff being carried out by the Royal College of GPs; and
£1.35 million funding for a grant scheme aimed at encouraging bids from patient led and condition related organisations wishing to do more to support carers by reaching out to people who do not necessarily see themselves as carers. We received over 270 bids from a wide range of organisations and plan to fund over 80 organisations who were successful bidders.
The Government have also made all the training materials from Caring with Confidence available free of charge on the Carers Direct website and worked with the national carers' organisations and other interested parties to promote their availability. The materials can be used at a local level to support the continued provision of training to carers.
Departmental Pay
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number of subcontracted staff servicing his Department who were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available. [34816]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is not held centrally. The Department holds two contracts with suppliers for the provision of cleaning, catering, security and other facilities management services to the Department's London estate. The contracts are awarded through a competitive tender process based on the best overall value for money solution for the Department.
General Practitioners: Wolverhampton
Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs in Wolverhampton received over £100,000 from the NHS in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available. [34791]
Mr Simon Burns: Details of individual general practitioners (GPs) earning over £100,000 in the national health service for Wolverhampton are not collected centrally.
The most up-to-date information on the overall numbers of GPs earning in excess of £100,000 is contained within the 'GP Earnings and Expenses 2008-09 Final Report', published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre on 12 January 2011.
A copy of the publication has been placed in the Library.
Hospital Wards: Children
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to exempt paediatric wards from his proposals to eliminate mixed-sex wards in NHS hospitals. [35078]
Mr Simon Burns: There are no exemptions to delivering high standards of privacy and dignity. The national health service is expected to eliminate mixed-sex accommodation, except where it is "in the overall best interests of the patient, or reflects patient choice". However, same sex requirements allow sufficient flexibility to provide scope for specialist facilities for children and young people, where patients may choose to share facilities on the basis of age and diagnosis, rather than gender. In this context, the choice has to be a genuine one-not influenced by background factors such as staff convenience, the poor state of buildings or lack of facilities. If the child would prefer to be nursed in proximity to members of the same sex, then this preference should where possible be accommodated.
The Department has made available guidance(1,)(2) which specifically focuses on children. This makes clear that decisions about where children and young people receive their care should be based on the clinical, psychological and social needs of the individual child or young person. It states that this approach be conveyed to the child, (where they are old enough to understand), and to their parents/carers. In emphasising that young people be offered choice, there remains an emphasis that the location and environment are; safe, healthy, child-friendly and suitable to their age/stage of development.
This guidance was developed following extensive consultation with clinical staff and patient representative groups.
(1) A copy has been placed in the Library and is available at:
(2) A copy has been placed in the Library and is available at:
Maternity Services
Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanism he will use to achieve the outcomes identified in his Department's NHS outcomes framework 2011-12 in respect of maternity care. [35269]
Anne Milton: The recently published "NHS Outcomes Framework 2011/12" sets out the national outcome measures that will be used to hold the NHS Commissioning Board to account. The Secretary of State for Health will not be setting out how these outcomes should be delivered.
It will be for the NHS Commissioning Board to determine how best to deliver improvements by working with general practitioner (GP) commissioning consortia and making use of the various tools and levers it will have at its disposal. These include the library of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Quality Standards; the Commissioning Outcomes Framework, which the NHS Commissioning Board will use to hold GP commissioning consortia to account; and other payment mechanisms between the NHS Commissioning Board, commissioners and providers. These are described more fully in both "The NHS Outcomes Framework 2011/12" and "Liberating the NHS: legislative framework and next steps", which can be accessed via the following links:
Copies have already been placed in the Library.
Mobility
Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of expenditure by primary care trusts on meeting the mobility needs of under-65s living in residential care in the latest period for which figures are available. [35673]
Paul Burstow: Information on primary care trust expenditure has never been collected in the level of detail necessary to estimate their expenditure on meeting the mobility needs of under-65s living in residential care. This is because the essential business needs of the Department cannot justify the additional administrative burden on the bodies that would have to provide the data.
NHS: Contracts
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that no US health organisation indicted for defrauding doctors, patients or taxpayers will be allowed to enter into contracts with (a) GP consortia and (b) the NHS. [34895]
Mr Simon Burns: Arrangements for contracts with general practitioner (GP) consortia for clinical services have yet to be determined, as the creation of GP consortia is subject to parliamentary approval. In future, again subject to parliamentary approval of its proposed new roles, Monitor will develop and agree with the Secretary of State criteria for determining who constitutes a fit person for the purposes of contracting for national health service-funded clinical services. Good procurement practice and current supporting national guidance highlights the importance of rigorous due diligence as part of the initial pre-qualification questionnaire.
NHS: Disclosure of Information
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase whistleblower rights and protections for NHS staff. [35629]
Anne Milton: Whistleblowers in the national health service are already protected from detriment by law.
A number of improvements have recently been made for NHS staff who wish to raise concerns. Guidance has been published providing advice to NHS organisations on how to implement and review whistleblowing arrangements in line with best practice. We have provided staff with a contractual right to raise concerns in the public interest. We have also recently consulted on proposed amendments to the NHS constitution to emphasise the existing rights and duties for staff and we are analysing the response.
We also intend to explore with NHS staff further measures to provide a safe and independent authority to whom they can turn when their own organisation is not listening.
NHS: Negligence
Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS Trusts that are not primary care trusts are members of the NHS Litigation Authority's Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts. [35555]
Mr Simon Burns: All national health service trusts are members of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts.
NHS: Standards
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts have escalated to Resource Escalation Action Plan level 4 since 1 November 2010; and on how many occasions such an escalation has occurred in each NHS trust in that period. [35630]
Mr Simon Burns: Resource Escalation Action Plan (REAP) is a system used by ambulance trusts only to enable ambulance trusts to maintain the delivery of patient services. REAP levels are not reported into the Department centrally, but are used by individual ambulance trusts to manage increases in demand on an escalating sliding scale.
During the swine flu pandemic in 2009-10, the Department did collect the REAP level data nationally, but this was to assist the Department's National Incident
Coordination Centre (NICC) in national co-ordination of the wider health and social care response during the pandemic.
The REAP plan is essentially a set of pre-agreed actions to manage escalating demand by increasing capacity. It is always in operation, normally at level one, but higher levels are triggered as demand increases.
Further information on REAP can be found on the Ambulance Leadership Forum website at:
Out of Area Treatment
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consideration he has given to the effects of differences in health care commissioning practices between England and the devolved Administrations; [34758]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the cross-border commissioning protocol in ensuring adherence to the principle that no commissioner shall be disadvantaged by providing services to the other country's residents; [34759]
(3) what recent discussions he has had on the expiration of the cross-border commissioning protocol; and if he will make a statement. [34760]
Mr Simon Burns: While there are very significant areas of commonality in health provision in the home nations, there are already some divergences that reflect the differing local priorities, health being a devolved issue, and it is the responsibility of each administration to identify and address these priorities.
The Department participates in discussions with local health boards in Wales, primary care trusts and the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that funding and commissioning issues arising from the differences in health provision regimes are understood. The cross-border commissioning protocol exists to define the commissioning and payment arrangements for patients living along the Anglo-Welsh border. It is the mechanism through which the two health Departments address the principle that neither commissioners nor patients should be disadvantaged by differences in health commissioning or provision processes between the two countries. The other key principle under the protocol is that the patient's safety and well being must be paramount at all times. No treatment must be refused or delayed due to uncertainty or ambiguity as to funding the health care provision.
The Secretary of State for Health met Ministers of the Welsh Assembly Government on 1 December 2010 and wrote to the Minister of Health and Social Security for the Welsh Assembly Government following the meeting to say that departmental officials remained committed to agreeing an appropriate level of financial transfer to the Welsh Assembly Government arising from issues around national tariff rates and how these are applied to Wales.
The cross-border commissioning protocol is due to expire on 31 March 2011 and officials from the Department are also in discussion with the Welsh Assembly Government with the intention of renewing the protocol, to run seamlessly from 2011. Until the forthcoming changes to the manner in which health care in England is commissioned are finalised in the Health and Social Care Bill currently
going through Parliament, the intention is that no substantial changes to the cross-border protocol should be introduced. For this reason, the protocol is expected to be renewed for just one year.
Pain: Medical Treatments
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence develops a specific quality standard for pain as a stand-alone condition. [35834]
Mr Simon Burns: Additional work, to assess the feasibility and scope for a quality standard for pain relief, for both adults and children, is required before it can be referred to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for them to develop a quality standard on that topic. NICE will provide that assessment later in the year.
Further details about NICE's quality standards programme can be found on the institute's website, including details of published and developing standards that, where appropriate, address the issue of pain management as part of an integrated care pathway.
Prescriptions
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to review the electronic transmission of prescriptions project. [35063]
Mr Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement on the National Programme for Information Technology that I made on 9 September 2010, Official Report, columns 21-22WS. There are no plans to further review the electronic prescription service, previously known as the electronic transmission of prescriptions programme.
Public Health Service
Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on preventing primary care trusts decommissioning public health services before the introduction of the public health service outlined in the NHS White Paper. [35444]
Anne Milton: The 'NHS Operating Framework 2011/12' states that the national health service must continue to lead on improvements to public health, ensuring that public health services are in the strongest possible position when responsibilities are devolved to local authorities.
During transition, overall accountability for delivery will remain with the existing organisations in the system. Strategic health authorities will be accountable for delivery and for overseeing the transition in their region up to April 2012 and primary care trusts will remain statutorily accountable up to April 2013.
Slaughterhouses: Horses
Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many horses were slaughtered in UK abattoirs in the last year for which figures are available. [35578]
Anne Milton: Between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2010 7,933 equines were slaughtered in red meat slaughterhouses in England, Scotland and Wales.
Smoking: Health Services
Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on advertising and marketing NHS smoking cessation services in each quarter of 2010. [35442]
Anne Milton: The Department's estimated expenditure on advertising and marketing for national health service smoking cessation services in each quarter of 2010 is shown in the following table:
| £ | |
Figures are provisional and unaudited and are based on total advertising and marketing expenditure directly spent on promoting NHS smoking cessation services across the range of marketing channels, including advertising media, direct and relationship marketing, partnership marketing, digital marketing, public relations, events and publications.
The local NHS also spends money promoting NHS Stop Smoking Services, details of which are held by local NHS organisations and are not held centrally.
The majority of the 2010 spend took place during the January to March 2010 period. A high expenditure during this period is common as it is the key season for quitting smoking.
Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many quit attempts NHS smoking cessation services recorded in each quarter of 2010. [35443]
Anne Milton: Information on people setting a quit date, through the national health service Stop Smoking services, and successful quitters by quarter in 2010, is shown in the following table:
| Number of people in England setting a quit date and successful quitters( 1) in 2010 | |||
| Quarters 1 to 3 | Number setting a quit date | Number of successful quitters | Percentage who successfully quit |
| (1) A client counted as having successfully quit smoking at the four-week follow-up if he/she has not smoked at all since two weeks after quit date. (2) Quarterly data, which have been finalised by The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Lifestyle Statistics. (3) Quarterly data have been published for the first two quarters of 2010-11. These data remain provisional until the end of year 2010-11 report is published, expected to be in August 2011. Source: The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Lifestyle Statistics. | |||
The data on the number of quit attempts for quarters two and three are provisional. Provisional data for quarter four are expected to be published in August 2011.
Information on people setting a quit date and successful quitters, by quarter, 2001-02 to 2009-10 is contained within table 2.2 of 'Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services: England, April 2009 to March 2010'.
This publication has been placed in the Library.
Swine Flu: COE Countries
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds for benchmarking purposes on the (a) expenditure and (b) outcomes of measures to tackle swine flu in other Council of Europe member states. [34930]
Anne Milton: The European Commission has carried out two reviews of the H1N1 pandemic response across the European Union and European economic area. The reviews provide helpful benchmarks across a range of areas, including communications, co-ordination of public health measures, and availability and use of antivirals and vaccines. These reviews can be found at:
On spend, the Department does not hold benchmark comparisons. This is partly due to the different approaches used by countries as to what factors are included. Also the commercial confidentiality of contracts for countermeasures restricts benchmarking.
Waiting Lists
Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients in the NHS have been treated by non-NHS providers as a consequence of the provisions of the Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Heath Authorities (Waiting Times) Directions 2010; and if he will make a statement; [35511]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of primary care trusts in complying with their legal requirements under the Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Heath Authorities (Waiting Times) Directions 2010; and if he will make a statement. [35512]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not collect information on how many patients have been treated by non-national health service providers as a consequence of the 'Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities (Waiting Times) Directions 2010'.
The Department has not made an assessment of the effectiveness of primary care trusts in complying with their legal duty to commission services that meet maximum waiting times standards and to offer redress to patients who wait longer if they request it.
The right to access services within maximum waiting times remains in the NHS constitution. NHS organisations need to be able to demonstrate that they have met patients' rights and fulfilled their obligations.
Transport
Ambulance Services: Accidents
Mr Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many emergency response ambulances have been involved in a road traffic accident in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [35536]
Mike Penning: The number of reported personal injury road accidents involving at least one ambulance in Great Britain in each of the last three years for which figures are available is given in the following table:
| Number of accidents | |
It is not possible to identify emergency response ambulances as the data are based on a "body type" of vehicles involved and therefore all types of ambulances are included in the data table.
Blue Badge Scheme: Older People
Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to make all people aged over 65 eligible for the Blue Badge scheme. [35182]
Norman Baker [holding answer 21 January 2011]: Eligibility for the Blue Badge scheme is set out in legislation. The Government have no plans to extend eligibility to all people aged over 65 and believe that badges should be issued on the basis of need, not age. The accessibility benefits offered by the scheme should be protected for the benefit of those disabled people who most rely on being able to park close to jobs, shops and services.
Cycling: Accidents
Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cyclists were involved in reported road traffic accidents in Great Britain in each of the last five years. [35242]
Mike Penning: The information requested is published in "Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2009 Annual Report". The number of pedal cycles involved in reported personal injury road accidents in Great Britain by year is available from Table 10. The number of pedal cycle casualties involved in such accidents is available from Table 6c.
Copies of the report have been deposited in the Libraries of the House. This report can also be found at the following address:
Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pedestrians were (a) injured and (b) killed as a result of accidents involving cyclists in Great Britain in each of the last five years. [35243]
Mike Penning: The number of reported pedestrian casualties in collisions with pedal cyclists in Great Britain in each of the last five years is given in following table:
| Number of casualties | ||
| Injured | Killed | |
The above figures include pedestrian casualties from collisions involving cyclists only. Where other vehicles were involved in the collision besides a cyclist, pedestrian casualties have been excluded.
Driving Instruction: Training
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the residential location is of each entrant on the Approved Driving Instructor Register according to the Rural/Urban Local Authority Classification. [35386]
Mike Penning: The Driving Standards Agency can provide the information requested only at disproportionate cost.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the residential location is of each relevant entrant on the Approved Driving Instructor Register according to the Scottish Executive Rural/Urban Local Authority Classification. [35387]
Mike Penning: The Driving Standards Agency can provide the information requested only at disproportionate cost.
Driving: Diabetes
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to place a requirement on young drivers who are diabetic to check regularly their insulin levels for the purposes of preventing a hypoglycaemic attack while driving. [35221]
Mike Penning: There are no current plans to place additional requirements on drivers who are diabetic. All drivers with insulin treated diabetes are already required by law to notify the Secretary of State, in practice the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, of their condition. Drivers notifying the Agency are required to confirm whether they monitor their blood glucose regularly and this information is considered when deciding whether to issue a driving licence.
Highways Agency: Telephone Services
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has set a target for reducing the number of calls to the Highways Agency public helpline which are unanswered. [35225]
Mike Penning [holding answer 21 January 2011]: The Highways Agency information line (0300 1235000) has an internal target to have no more than 10% of calls abandoned where the customer has waited for at least one minute. Despite recent demand the current rate of abandoned calls for the year to date stands at 6.3%, well within target.
HM Coastguard: Manpower
Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff left HM Coastguard service (a) voluntarily and (b) involuntarily in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and what the level of (i) internal and (ii) external staff turnover was in each such year. [34846]
Mike Penning: In respect of staff leaving HM Coastguard the following are figures covering the period 2003 to 2010.
| Type | |||
| Involuntary | Voluntary | Total | |
| (1) No data (2) Incomplete | |||
In respect of internal and external turnover the following are the figures covering the period 2003 to 2010.
| Type: External | Percentage |
| (1) No data (2) Incomplete | |
The data the hon. Member has requested in respect of 2001 and 2002 are not in a readily accessible format. Due to the format the Maritime Coastguard Agency record turnover data it is also not possible to provide reliable figures for the internal turnover of staff.
HM Coastguard: Tugboats
Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for emergency ship towing after the removal of tugboats as a result of his proposed new structure for HM Coastguard. [34847]
Mike Penning: The decision not to continue public funding of emergency towing vessels recognises that towage and salvage are matters that are properly the responsibility of ship owners and operators.
In relation to emergency ship towing, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) aims to meet all interested parties to discuss how incident management will be undertaken after the current contract for emergency towing vessels expires in September 2011. The first meeting has been arranged for Edinburgh on 4 March.
Although our decision not to renew the contract for emergency towing vessels, and the proposals I launched on 16 December for modernising the coastguard service, form part of the Department's response to the comprehensive spending review, the matters are not connected. Modernising the coastguard is about how best to provide a national search and rescue co-ordination service fit for the 21st century.
HS2 Tunnel
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the construction of the route from the second HS2 tunnel from Chalk Farm to St Pancras will involve taking over any land or buildings not presently used for railway purposes. [32532]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 10 January 2011]: Current plans mean the proposed High Speed 2/High Speed 1 link will emerge from tunnel on to existing railway land at the site of the disused Primrose Hill station. It would then continue on the surface, using the existing North London line through Camden Road station and on to the existing HS1 connection. Detailed design for the hybrid Bill would confirm the extent of the alterations, but at this stage we do not expect that any land outside the existing railway boundary would be required.
Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties
Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people paid vehicle excise duty for less than 12 months in each of the last five years. [35852]
Mike Penning: The following table provides the number of six-month vehicle excise duty discs purchased in Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the last five financial years.
| Great Britain | Northern Ireland | |
Motorways: M1
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2011, Official Report, columns 348-49W, on motorways: M1, which part of the M1 North and Southbound was closed on Monday 6 December 2010 and which part was closed on Sunday 28 November 2010 between 2 pm and 10 pm. [35586]
Mike Penning: On Monday 6 December the M1 was closed southbound between Junction 20 and 21 from 06:01 to 15:08.
On Sunday 28 November the M1 was closed southbound between junctions 12 and 13 from 14:17 until 17:32. Residual delays remained in the area until 19:11.
Prince William: Marriage
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the likely financial effect on those organising street parties and other road-based events to mark the Royal Wedding on 29 April 2011 of proposed changes to the procedure for road closure notices. [34630]
Norman Baker [holding answer 18 January 2011]: There are no current proposals to change the regulations and published advice on 'special event' traffic regulation orders (TROs), used by local authorities to close roads for temporary events, but I am examining the issues for authorities in England in the context of our Traffic Signs Policy Review.
The regulations and published advice for 'special event' TROs are distinct from those applying to other TROs, and are not prescriptive. Local procedures applying to road closures for street parties are therefore determined by the relevant local authorities. The financial effects of their procedures are matters for those authorities. English local authorities should avoid implementing unnecessarily expensive or burdensome procedures.
It is for the Welsh Assembly Government to consider the relevant procedures that apply in Wales.
Public Transport: Visual Impairment
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals for a right to accessible public travel information for blind and partially-sighted people. [34638]
Norman Baker: The Transport Act 2000 empowers local transport authorities in England and Wales to determine what local bus information, including information relating to facilities for disabled passengers, should be made available to the public and the way in which it should be made available.
It is expected that under the proposed EU regulation on bus and coach passenger rights, that operators and terminal managing bodies would be required to provide passengers with adequate information throughout their travel. Where feasible, this should be provided in accessible formats upon request. Negotiation of that regulation should conclude in the next few months, with the final text then published in the Official Journal of the European Union. As a regulation it would have direct application two years after its publication.
The Department for Transport commissioned a research project to investigate the costs and benefits of installing audio visual systems on buses, and to consider ways of increasing the take up of these systems. This project will provide guidance for local authorities and bus operators as to the benefits of audio visual systems and ways of implementing them.
Railways: High Speed Trains
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received on the performance of high-speed rail services through the Channel Tunnel in December 2010; and if he will make a statement. [34613]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 18 January 2011]: The Secretary of State for Transport has received only a very limited number of direct representations regarding the performance of high-speed rail services through the Channel Tunnel in December.
Nevertheless the Department continues to review a range of winter resilience issues. While extreme weather will always cause at least some disruption, we will be working with transport operators to ensure lessons are learned from the recent events to try to minimise inconvenience to passengers.
Railways: North West
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to consult on changes to the Trans-Pennine Rail Franchise. [35668]
Mrs Villiers: During the life of the franchise, the train operating company is responsible for consulting on any proposed changes to services. The Department for Transport will initiate stakeholder consultation on a replacement for the present TransPennine Express rail franchise around six months before issuing an Invitation to Tender.
Railways: Standards
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much each train company paid in compensation as a result of service delays in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009. [32989]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport does not hold this information in the form requested.
Train companies pay compensation to passengers for delays and other matters arising from poor service, under the terms of their passengers' charters. The terms of each operator's passengers' charter are set out in their respective franchise agreements.
Railways: Waste Disposal
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on changes to regulations which permit train operating companies to operate sanitary facilities on trains which discharge waste directly onto the tracks; and what recent estimate he has made of the number of railway carriages with such facilities. [34497]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has received various representations on this matter including from Members of this House, the media and members of the public. While my Department recognises the importance of toilet retention systems, it is the responsibility of individual operators to develop programmes to install them on existing trains. All new trains now have them.
The Department does not hold information on the number of railway carriages with sanitary facilities discharging waste directly on to the tracks. The hon. Member may wish to contact the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) at the following address for this information:
ATOC Ltd.
3rd Floor
40 Bernard Street
London WC1N 1BY
The Rolling Stock Leasing Companies (ROSCOs) could also be contacted for this information.
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the number of railway carriages with toilet facilities. [34498]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The hon. Member may wish to contact the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) at the following address for this information:
ATOC Ltd.
3rd Floor
40 Bernard Street
London WC1N 1BY
The Rolling Stock Leasing Companies (ROSCOs) could also be approached about this information.
Road Traffic
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the difference was between actual congestion levels and those projected by his Department in each of the last five years. [34939]
Norman Baker [holding answer 20 January 2011]: The Department for Transport produces congestion forecasts for certain years using the National Transport Model. The latest forecasts are available at:
However, the first year for which forecasts are provided in this report is 2015. The most recent available set of congestion forecasts for 2010, can be found in: "Road Traffic Forecasts 2008: Results from the Department for Transport's National Transport Model", which is available at:
These forecasts show that congestion, measured in terms of delay on all roads in England was expected to increase by 1% between 2003 and 2010, and decrease by 1% on inter-urban Highways Agency roads.
The Department publishes inter-urban congestion statistics, the latest summary of these is available at:
From the above report, historic delay data for all journeys from July 2005 can be accessed at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/roads/congestion/inter-urban/cgn0103.xls
Although there is a break in the data series, this shows that the average length of delay experienced by users of the strategic road network was broadly similar in November 2010 to July 2005.
Road Traffic Control
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instigate an investigation into the health and safety implications of the use of Trief kerbs. [35220]
Norman Baker: We have no current plans to instigate such research. The appropriate use of Trief kerbs is a matter for individual highway authorities.
Road Traffic: Kent
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the average daily number of vehicles using the (a) A2 in Dover constituency, (b) A258 between Dover and Deal and (c) A256 in Dover constituency in the latest period for which figures are available. [35340]
Mike Penning: The most recent estimate of the average daily number of vehicles using the A2 in the Dover constituency was made for the 12 months ending on 30 November 2010. The figures are listed in the following table:
| Direction | Location | Av era g e 24 h ou r traffic volumes |
No estimate has been made of the number of vehicles using the A258 or the A256 as the Secretary of State is not responsible for these routes. They are managed and maintained by Kent county council.
Roads: Closures
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely financial effect on (a) voluntary organisations and (b) small businesses of proposed changes to the procedure for road closure notices. [34629]
Norman Baker [holding answer 18 January 2011]: There are no current proposals to change national regulations or guidance on procedures for effecting road closures, as they apply in England. However, I am examining some relevant issues in the context of our Traffic Signs Policy Review, and the Government's policies for localism and decentralisation. Any final decisions on regulatory changes will be made with reference to impact assessments.
It is for the Welsh Assembly Government to consider the procedures that apply in Wales.
Roads: Fees and Charges
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish his Department's response to its consultation on Amendment to the Charges for Unreasonably Prolonged Occupation of the Highways. [35163]
Norman Baker [holding answer 21 January 2011]: The Department for Transport has stated in its business plan that The Street Works (Charges for Unreasonably Prolonged Occupation of the Highway) (England) (Amendment) Regulations will be laid before Parliament by October 2011.
Traffic Regulation
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has provided to local authorities on the issue of traffic regulation orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. [34084]
Norman Baker [holding answer 18 January 2011]: The procedures for making permanent and experimental Traffic Regulation Orders are set out in the Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedures) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996.
Advice on procedures for making 'special events' traffic regulation orders for temporary events can be found in "Advice on procedures for making "special events" orders under sections 16a-c of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984", available from the Department for Transport's website at
This document contains non-binding advice and does not set out statutory requirements.
It is for the Welsh Assembly Government to determine the regulations and guidance that apply in Wales.
Transport: Finance
Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on (a) the Integrated Transport Block and (b) major transport schemes in each region in each year since 1997-98. [34101]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport provides local authorities with Integrated Transport Block funding for small scale transport schemes and major project funding for transport schemes, mostly costing over £5 million.
The following table sets out funding allocations for the Integrated Transport Block between 2000-01 and 2010-11. Different funding arrangements were in place for Integrated Transport Block funding before 2000-01.
| Integrated Transport Block funding | |||||||||
| £ million | |||||||||
| North West | North East | Yorks and Humber | East | West Mids | East Mids | South West | South East | Total | |
| (1) Integrated Transport Block funding in 2010-11 was reduced by 25% as part of the coalition Government's in-year savings to reduce the fiscal deficit. | |||||||||
The following table sets out actual spend on major schemes between 2001-02 and 2009-10. The breakdown between regions before 2006-07 is not available and the total is not available before 2001-02.
| Major scheme funding | |||||||||
| £ million | |||||||||
| North West | North East | Yorks and Humber | East | West Mids | East Mids | South West | South East | Total | |
Additional major scheme funding was allocated to certain local authorities by formula as follows:
£10 million for North East authorities in 2009-10.
46.9 million for Yorkshire and Humber authorities in 2009-10 and £23.5 million in 2010-11.
Separate arrangements are in place for local transport funding in London.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |