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Veterinary Investigation Centre, Omagh
Lord Alderdice asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether, in the light of the announced closure
of the veterinary investigation centre at Omagh,
Co. Tyrone, any report has been prepared on the comparative performance of the centres at Omagh and Stormont; if so, whether they will place a copy of the report in the Library; and whether they will defer the closure of the centre at Omagh until there has been further consultation within Northern Ireland.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Denton of Wakefield): The Department of Agriculture Northern Ireland has not commissioned any report on the comparative performance of the Veterinary Investigation Centre at Omagh and Veterinary Science Division at Stormont. As part of a graduate training project a simple customer survey of veterinary practitioners was carried out, but as it was not part of the decision-making process it would not be appropriate to place this material in the House. It is not intended to change the decision to close the Veterinary Investigation Centre, Omagh.
Longer Term Road Schemes: Withdrawals
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will publish in the Official Report the list of longer term road schemes to be withdrawn included in Press Notice 357 of 26th November 1996 issued by the Department of Transport, showing in respect of each stage of preparation reached and the most recent estimate of cost.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen): I am writing to my noble friend and will place a copy of my letter in the Library.
St. Pancras Station
Baroness Jeger asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What decision has been reached about the future of the Grade One listed St. Pancras station.
Viscount Goschen: The future of the station was considered earlier in the year by the Select Committee on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill and was then extensively debated during the Committee and Third Reading stages of the Bill. St. Pancras will be refurbished as the terminus for the CTRL under powers
contained in the Bill, and subject to Planning and Heritage Minimum Requirements and the provisions of a Heritage Deed. Ownership of both the trainshed and the adjacent Chambers--also covered by the Grade I listing--has been transferred to London and Continental Railways (LCR), who are responsible for building and operating the new railway. LCR have launched a competition to invite proposals for the future use of the Chambers.London Underground Costs
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What were the costs for London Underground, for the last reporting year, of--
(a) day-to-day operations
(b) maintenance of trains and other assets
(c) replacement of life-expired assets
(d) new works
(e) management and head office
Viscount Goschen: London Underground estimate that their costs during the financial year 1995-96 were as follows:
Lord Skelmersdale asked Her Majesty's Government:
Viscount Goschen: The Transport Council met in Brussels on 12th and 13th December. I represented the United Kingdom.
The Council agreed a common position on the Commission's proposals for a directive on road passenger cabotage (replacing Directive 2454/92, which was annulled for technical reasons by the European Court of Justice). The UK indicated that it would vote against the text when formally adopted, because much of the original proposals for further liberalisation had been removed from the text. This was the only item on which the question of a vote arose.
The Council also agreed a common position on a proposed amendment to Council Regulation 684/92, on further liberalisation of international bus and coach services.
The Council held orientation debates on the Commission's White Paper on the future of the Community's railways, and on proposals for the
The Council agreed conclusions endorsing the Commission's proposals to take forward negotiations on a land transport agreement with Switzerland. It also discussed proposals for a replacement to Directive 93/89 (also annulled by the European Court of Justice on technical grounds) on taxation and road user charges for heavy goods vehicles. It was agreed that this issue would be taken forward under the Netherlands Presidency of the EU in parallel with discussions on fuel excise duties.
The Council held an orientation debate on air traffic management in the EU, and agreed conclusions noting the urgent need to adopt the new EUROCONTROL Convention. The Council agreed a common position on a proposed regulation increasing and harmonising the liability of Community air carriers in case of accident to passengers.
The Commission reported to the Council on its negotiations on air transport relations with the United States, and gave a presentation on proposals for a mandate to negotiate Community membership of a new European Aviation Safety Authority.
The Council reached political agreement on a proposed directive on safety standards for fishing vessels and on a proposed amendment to Directive 93/75 on reporting requirements for ships carrying dangerous or polluting goods.
The Council agreed a resolution promoting a maritime strategy for the Community. The UK opposed two elements of the strategy (on employment-related operating subsidies, and on restrictive manning practices) which were therefore excluded from the resolution itself and were covered separately by Presidency conclusions supported by the Commission and the other delegations.
The Council discussed the recent lorry blockades in France and Greece and the question of compensation.
The Council discussed summer time, and received progress reports from the Commission on a number of other issues, which were not debated.
Lord Lucas of Chilworth asked Her Majesty's Government:
Viscount Goschen: The Transport Research Laboratory published yesterday a study of accident data which suggests that the number of additional deaths and injuries caused by bull bars is significantly lower than had previously been assumed. Nevertheless, we cannot accept unnecessary deaths on the road, even if in single figures. We are still very much opposed to the fitting of aggressive bull bars and strongly support current European efforts to control their use. We shall also be
A copy of the TRL study has been placed in the Library.
Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Fraser of Carmyllie): Where the export of motor vehicles and their components is controlled under the Export of Goods (Control) Order, or legislation relating to UN sanctions, a licence is required from the Department of Trade and Industry. Details of deliveries of equipment exported are not held by my department. Statistics of all exports are collated by the Tariff and Statistical Office of HM Customs and Excise.
Lord Spens asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Fraser of Carmyllie: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my noble friend Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish today.
Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Fraser of Carmyllie: The shipment of unirradiated fuel referred to in H.L. Deb., col. WA 72, was carried in a Type B container. Transport of unirradiated fuel is a well established and well regulated activity where safety is vested in the package and not the method of transport. Type B containers are designed and built to withstand serious accident conditions and are proved by a number of tests, including a fall from 30 feet on to an effectively unyielding target.
(a) £624 million
(b) £205 million
(c) £377 million
(d) £711 million
(e) £67 million
Amounts given at (b) and (e) also form part of the total figure at (a) above.
What was the result of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 12th and 13th December.
What conclusions they have drawn from the Transport Research Laboratory's study of accidents involving bull bars.
What are the present arrangements, if any, for applications to export motor vehicles, or their components, from the United Kingdom and for recording by the relevant British authorities of such exports when they take place.
What was the number and cost of shares acquired in the share-price support operation ("market stabilisation") following the privatisation of British Energy plc in July 1996.
Further to the Answer given by the Baroness Miller of Hendon on 7th November (H.L. Deb.,
col. WA 72), whether the plutonium shipment in question was carried in a Type B container built to withstand a fall of 30 feet.
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