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CI7 Transport
Lord Gilbert asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How much they anticipate saving (a) in the current financial year and (b) in subsequent financial years from the discovery that Tornado aircraft can be loaded inside a C17 transport for roulement purposes.[HL4217]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach): The RAF's decision to use the C17 from December 2001 to transport its Tornado F3 to the Falkland Islands is expected to release approximately 324 flying hours and 300 man
hours per roulement. These resources are being redeployed by the RAF to undertake training and other tasks, so a cash saving will not accrue. Each of the four Tornado aircraft are returned to the United Kingdom for servicing every 18 months and a turnover of approximately one aircraft every nine months is planned. HuwRights of the Child: Optional Protocol
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they intend to ratify the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. [HL4254]
Lord Bach: Yes. Officials in both the Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office are working actively towards ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvment of children in armed conflict, and we hope to be in a position to ratify soon. As part of the ratification process, an explanatory memorandum will be laid before Parliament to explain the significance of the Optional Protocol.
Eurofighter
Baroness Turner of Camden asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What date Eurofighter is expected to enter service with the Royal Air Force. [HL4492]
Lord Bach: My honourable friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Moonie) made clear on 26 February 2002 (Official Report, col. 1139W) to the honourable Member for North Essex (Mr Jenkin) in another place that the June 2002 in-service date for Eurofighter was becoming increasingly challenging to achieve. Although good progress has been made by industry, with the first three instrumented production aircraft achieving successful first flights in early April, delays in bringing the detailed design to full maturity in some areas prevented the flight test programme from starting on time.
Following a thorough review of the programme involving the partner nations, the NATO agency responsible for undertaking the procurement and industry, we have jointly concluded that acceptance of the first aircraft into service should be delayed, to take place by the end of this year, and we shall plan on that basis. We shall now be working hard with industry to recover lost time and achieve the planned operational employment date in the second half of the decade, thus avoiding any gap in front-line capability or extra costs to the Ministry of Defence. The delays are disappointing but reflect the complexity of the project and the major advance in technology it represents. Initial flights of the instrumented production aircraft have been impressive and the Government remain fully committed to this contribution to the United Kingdom's military capability.
Postal Services
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 30 April (HL Deb, col. 569), whether they will list the countries to which Lord Sainsbury referred which run a postal service as a competitive enterprise while at the same time maintaining a universal service.[HL4124]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): In Sweden, Finland and New Zealand there is no reserved postal sector while the universal postal obligation continues to be maintained.
New Forest
Baroness Nicol asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they intend to set up a local inquiry to consider the designation order for a New Forest national park.[HL4459]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): Under Schedule 1 to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, an inquiry must be held into the designation order if a local authority has objected and the objection has not been withdrawn. Several local authorities have lodged objections, which are being maintained. A letter is being sent to all those who have made objections or representations advising them that a local inquiry is to be held and what the scope of the inquiry will be. A copy of the letter is in the Library of the House. The inquiry is expected to start in October.
Traffic Lights at Intersections
Lord Methuen asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the criteria for the installation of traffic lights at intersections on trunk roads; and whether the intersections in Derbyshire of the A6 and the B5023 at Duffield and the A6 and the B5057 at Darley Dale meet these criteria.[HL4383]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the noble Lord.
Letter from the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, dated 23 May 2002.
The Minister of State, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the criteria for the installation of traffic lights at intersections on trunk roads; and whether the intersections in Derbyshire of the A6 and the B5023 at Duffield and the A6 and the B5057 at Darley Dale meet these criteria.
The criteria for the installation of traffic signals at trunk road intersections are set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, published jointly by the Highways Agency, the Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. They involve the collection of a considerable amount of background data, including the performance of the junction, traffic volumes and accident details.
In order to investigate whether the intersections of the A6/B5023 at Duffield and the A6/B5057 at Darley Dale meet the criteria, detailed investigations would be required, which would take some time to complete. As you may be aware, the A6 is due to be de-trunked with effect from 1st July, when responsibility for its management will transfer to Derbyshire County Council, and negotiations are currently in progress with the County Council about the handover. We have therefore alerted the County Council to your question.
If you would like any further information, Steve Forgham, the Highways Agency's Area Manager for this length of the A6, would be pleased to help. He can be contacted at the Agency's offices at Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham B15 1BL, or by telephone on 0121 678 8506.
Bishopsgate Goodsyard
Lord Redesdale asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Given that the East London line project lacks a private funding partner and that the construction start date is still some way off, whether they consider that the proposed demolition by London Underground Ltd at Bishopsgate goodsyard is premature.[HL4392]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: This is a matter for London Underground Ltd, in the exercise of the powers granted to it under the London Underground (East London Line Extension) Order 1997. Huw
English Regions
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the recent publication of their White Paper Your Regions, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions, how they will gauge whether or not there is sufficient public interest to trigger a regional referendum; and what procedure is to be adopted for holding such a referendum.[HL4431]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Chapter 9 of the White Paper, Your region, Your Choice, sets out the process by which an elected assembly can be established in a region. Box 9.1 sets out the key features of a referendum on an elected regional assembly, while paragraphs 9.2 to 9.4 discuss the process by which we will decide which region or regions should hold a referendum first. We will say more in due course about how we will gauge public interest and we have given a commitment to take decisions only after consulting all eight regions.
Civil Aviation
Lord Rotherwick asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether new regulations dealing with civil aviation in the United Kingdom will no longer come before the British Parliament when the European Safety Agency is operating fully.[HL4332]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The draft EC regulation setting up the European Aviation Safety Agency provides the framework for a new European regulatory system and has been subject to UK parliamentary scrutiny procedures. It sets out basic principles and essential safety requirements with regards to aircraft and product certification. Further EC regulations, also subject to UK parliamentary scrutiny, will be required to extend the scope of the system, including essential safety requirements, to other areas of civil aviation, initially for operators and personnel.
Member states will continue to play a major role in the new system. Many of the European safety standards will be implemented by existing national aviation authorities. The Civil Aviation Authority will continue to issue a range of certificates and approvals under UK regulations which will be subject to normal parliamentary processes. Huw
Theatres: Lottery Funding
Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many London theatres have received lottery or heritage help during the years 1999, 2000, 2001 and in 2002 to date; and[HL4354]
How many theatres in North West England have received lottery or heritage help during the years 1999, 2000, 2001 and in 2002 to date. [HL4355]
The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone): I have contacted the Arts Council of England and the Heritage Lottery Fund to request the information required to answer these questions. Once I have the information I will write again and place copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.
Belfast Agreement: Parity of Esteem
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they accept the concept of parity of esteem and parity of treatment for the two traditions on the island of Ireland as set out in the Belfast Agreement of 1998; and [HL4110]
What direction the Belfast Agreement of 1998 gave to the Northern Ireland Court Service concerning parity of esteem in the provision of guidance and instructions in the languages of Irish and Ulster Scots. [HL4111]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): We accept unhesitatingly all the provisions of the Belfast
Agreement. The agreement gives no specific directions to the Northern Ireland Court Service, but it makes a number of provisions concerning the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, including the Irish language and Ulster Scots; and a number of other provisions relating specifically to the Irish language.
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