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South Midlands: Effect of the British Grand Prix
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is their estimate of the economic impact on the South Midlands of the British Grand Prix.[HL2146]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): The Government recognise the importance of retaining the British Grand Prix. While we have
made no official estimate of the scale of the economic benefits it provides, a study by the FIA (motorsport's world governing body) estimated that the 1996 Grand Prix contributed about £28 million to the South Midlands economy.Motorsport Industry
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many people are employed directly, and indirectly, in the British motorsport industry.[HL2147]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: A national industry survey by the Motorsport Industry Association, part funded by DTI, estimated that the British motorsport industry employs a total of 25,000 people in motorsport related engineering and a further 13,500 in motorsport related services.
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is their estimate of the value to the United Kingdom economy of the British motorsport industry; and what is their estimate of the value of exports of the British motorsport industry to the United Kingdom economy.[HL2148]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: A recent national industry survey by the Motorsport Industry Association, part funded by DTI, estimated that the total turnover value of the British motorsport industry is approximately £4.6 billion per annum, of which the value of export earnings is approximately £2 billion per annum.
BSE
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What has been the total cost to public funds of BSE in each of the last 10 years.[HL2172]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): The total cost to public funds in each of the last 10 years has been:
| Year | Amount (£m) |
| 1992–93 | 61 |
| 1993–94 | 66 |
| 1994–95 | 42 |
| 1995–96 | 31 |
| 1996–97 | 1,548 |
| 1997–98 | 1,017 |
| 1998–99 | 555 |
| 1999–2000 | 412 |
| 2000–01 | 364 |
| 2001–02 (forecast) | 440 |
| Total | 4,536 |
Against these amounts, the UK has received some £1,765 million in BSE related payments from the EC budget.
The Earl of Mar and Kellie asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Whitty: It is anticipated that there will be a network of treatment facilities throughout the UK rather than just one plant. Thus, vehicle mileage should not be significantly greater than under current arrangements.
The Earl of Mar and Kellie asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Whitty: The Government are committed to increasing the amount of all freight moved by rail where that offers economic and environmental benefits.
The Earl of Mar and Kellie asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Whitty: While it is unlikely that fridges going to treatment plant will travel by rail, it is possible that the scrap steel from recycled fridges may be transported by rail for onward use. However, not all treatment plant will be linked to the rail network.
The Duke of Montrose asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Whitty: The regulations do not define "uncultivated land and semi-natural areas" but, as a working guide, the intention is to apply the EIA arrangements to unimproved grassland, heath and moorland, scrubland, and wetlands. Further details will be set out in guidelines which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will publish shortly.
Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the transport of fridges to one CFC treatment plant will be sustainable in terms of increased lorry miles.[HL2183]
Whether they will promote the transport of fridges to the CFC treatment plant by rail.[HL2184]
Whether the new fridge CFC treatment plant will be connected to the rail network in Great Britain. [HL2185]
Whether they will define what they mean by "uncultivated land" and "semi-natural areas" in the Environmental Impact Assessment (Uncultivated Land and Semi-natural Areas) England Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/3966). [HL2193]
When the Government will consult on the exercise of slaughter powers and other provisions of the Animal Health Bill. [HL2283]
14 Jan 2002 : Column WA137
Lord Whitty: The Government announced on Friday 11 January a paper for public consultation. This proposes criteria that will govern the use in England and Wales of the new slaughter powers contained in the Animal Health Bill, together with arrangements for operating the adjusted compensation scheme for infected premises.
This document has been sent to around 200 organisations, although any interested parties are welcome to access it on Defra's website http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/current.htm and respond. Copies have also been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Millenium Dome
Viscount Astor asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the projected costs of the dome for the first five months of 2002. [HL2163]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): The average monthly cost incurred by English Partnerships during 2001 for care and maintenance of the dome was about £250,000, but this is subject to a review of English Partnerships' rating liability in relation to the dome to reflect the fact that decommissioning of the dome contents has been completed in preparation for its future use. It would not be appropriate to reveal English Partnerships' working estimates of future costs while the relevant discussions continue.
All such costs will be recovered from sale proceeds.
Road Vehicles: Television Screens
Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will take action to reduce dangers arising from the diversion of the attention of drivers of road vehicles caused by television screens situated in the driver's cab or by the driving seat. [HL2200]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Regulations already exist to control the use of a television screen or similar apparatus visible to the driver.
Under Regulation 109 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, it is an offence to drive a motor vehicle on a road if the driver is in such a position as to be able to see, whether directly or by reflection, a television screen showing anything other than information:
- (a) about the state of the vehicle or equipment;
- (b) about the location of the vehicle and the road on which it is located;
- (c) to assist the driver to see the road adjacent to the vehicle;
- (d) to assist the driver to reach his destination.
Rail Service Delays
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they are responsible for delays in rail services in the United Kingdom.[HL2220]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: No. Railtrack (in railway administration) is responsible for maintaining and renewing the railways infrastructure. The train operating companies (TOCs) are responsible for providing train services.
Jubilee Medals
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many official Jubilee medals were issued to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II; and how many they plan to issue for the Golden Jubilee.[HL2072]
The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone): A total of 33,423 medals were issued in the United Kingdom to commemorate the Silver Jubilee. A further 12,849 medals were ordered, at their own expense, by the Queen's realms and the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office received an allocation of 499 medals for distribution to the then dependent territories and West Indies associated states.
It is estimated that around 375,000 medals will be issued in the United Kingdom to commemorate the Golden Jubilee. It will be for Her Majesty's realms, the overseas territories and the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man to decide whether they wish to run a parallel distribution scheme.
Digital Television
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the viability of the digital terrestrial platform is fundamental to their strategy set out in their Digital Action Plan; and, if it is not, whether they will publish their assessment of how other platforms alone can deliver public policy goals.[HL2176]
Baroness Blackstone: The availability of digital terrestrial television is a key element of the Digital Television Action Plan published on 20 December. In taking forward the plan, the Government will not favour any one platform, equipment or service. The purpose of the action plan is to develop the strategy for achieving the Government's policy for the switch over to digital television.
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