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The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Assured Food Standards (AFS) recognises food or crops assurance scheme awards made by non-United Kingdom organisations; and, if they do, which are these organisations.[HL2643]
Lord Whitty: We are not aware of any food or crops assurance scheme awards made by non-United Kingdom organisations that have been recognised by Assured Food Standards. However, one non-UK producer has applied to be recognised as complying with the standards of the Assured Chicken Production Scheme.
Environmental Claims in Advertising: Guidelines
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 10 December 2001 (WA 171), whether they plan to revise the Environmental Claims in Advertising guidelines.[HL2653]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): The publication referred to, Environment Claims in Advertising: a single guide to all the applicable advertising codes, was published by the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers in conjunction with the DTI and the regulatory authorities for advertising. We have no plans to revise the publication which was intended to provide advertising professionals with an accessible source of information on the codes of practice relevant to environmental claims. All of this information is now readily available on the websites of the regulatory authorities. Detailed advice for advertisers and companies wishing to make an environmental claim for their goods or services is contained in the Green Claim Code, published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
Bus Lanes
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 17 January (WA 177) and given that camera enforcement has been well established for bus lanes in London, why it has taken so long to undertake internal consultation among government departments to extend this
- consultation to areas outside London which have decriminalised parking enforcement status.[HL2424]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): It is important that we get the regulations right. We will consult as soon as possible.
Mark 1 Rolling Stock: Cup and Cone Modification
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they plan to fit cup and cone override protection on Mark 1 rolling stock both (a) between individual coaches in a multiple unit; and (b) at the end of multiple units.[HL2567]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The industry is still in discussion with the Health and Safety Executive about the precise details of the cup and cone modification.
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the estimated cost of fitting cup and cone override protection to Mark 1 rolling stock; the number of coaches they plan to fit with cup and cone override protection; the date by which this work must be completed; and the last date when such trains will be permitted to operate.[HL2568]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Under the Railway Regulations 1999, Mark 1 passenger rolling stock must be modified by 31 December 2002 unless an exemption is granted. Any Mark 1 rolling stock which is modified in the way specified by these regulations can be operated until 1 January 2005. The regulatory impact assessment tabled with the regulations in 1999 estimated the cost of fitting cup and cone to Mark 1 rolling stock at between £7,000 and £11,000 per carriage in 1999. There are some 1,500 passenger Mark 1 carriages still operating. The number of these to be fitted with cup and cone override protection will depend on how many carriages are withdrawn from service before the end of 2002, and on the Health and Safety Executive's decision on any case for exemption which train operators may make.
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What additional protection cup and cone override protection will provide in the event of a collision between (a) two Mark 1 coaches in the same multiple unit; (b) two Mark 1 coaches in adjacent multiple units; and (c) one Mark 1 coach and another type of passenger coach.[HL2569]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Health and Safety Executive advises that the cup and cone modification will provide substantial protection against two Mark 1 multiple units overriding one another, at speeds of up to about 35 mph. Individual carriages within a Mark 1 multiple unit are unlikely to override one another, with or without the modification. The modification is not intended to give override protection in the event of a Mark 1 unit colliding with another type of train.
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is their estimate of the number of lives which will be saved as a result of fitting cup and cone override protection to Mark 1 coaches.[HL2570]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton The Health and Safety Executive has advised that in 1999, it was estimated that 0.5 equivalent fatalities per year would be prevented.
London and Manchester Airports: Use by Overseas Residents
Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What percentage of visitors from overseas use (a) London airports and (b) Manchester airport.[HL2629]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Overseas residents made 25 million visits to the UK in 2000. 60 per cent of these were made through the London 1 airports and 4 per cent through Manchester airport.
1 Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City.
Local Leadership and Public Services
Lord Jenkin of Roding asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they intend to introduce legislation to implement the proposals set out in Cm 5237 Strong Local Leadership—Quality Public Services.[HL2650]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government will introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows. In the mean time we are continuing to work closely with local government and other interested bodies in preparing for legislation.
Aircraft: Minimum Space Standards
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 30 January (HL2408], when the Joint Aviation Authorities are expected to complete their consideration of the finding of the recent Civil Aviation Authority study, aimed principally at harmonising European standards on airline seat spacing, that "in view of the increased height and weight of the population, there should be an increase in seat spacing" above the current minimum distance of 26 inches; and when new minimum standards can be expected.[HL2659]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: It is likely that further investigation will be necessary to validate this research before any new minimum seat space standards can be proposed. Further research would be expected to include physical trials on cabin simulators with participants of different sizes and heights.
The Civil Aviation Authority, representing the UK in the JAA, will participate in the resultant discussions together with representatives from many of the 31 other member states. It is not possible at this stage to predict a time-scale for any particular outcome.
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