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Railways: Rolling Stock
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the 126 vehicles for First Capital Connect in the July Rolling Stock Plan are part of the batch of 1,100 new vehicles for Thameslink. [HL5817]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The indicative plan estimated that 256 additional vehicles will be needed on First Capital Connect by 2014 in order to deliver the Government's high-level output specification (HLOS). The assumption used in the plan was that vehicles are cascaded from other operators.
However, the capacity increase in the high-level output specification may in practice be delivered in a number of ways, and will be subject to commercial innovation and negotiation. The order for 1,100 new vehicles for Thameslink has not yet been placed.
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the 40 additional vehicles proposed in the Department for Transport's high-level output statement for First Great Western's Thames Valley services will come from transfers within the system or from new stock. [HL5819]
Lord Adonis: The Department for Transport's Rolling Stock Plan, published in January 2008, stated that First Great Western (FGW) would introduce new diesel multiple unit (DMU) vehicles for London suburban services. It noted, however, that these plans were not prescriptive and were subject to a development process within the industry. Discussions with First Great Western are at an early stage.
Railways: Spark Guards
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 29 October (HL5766), why spark guards must be fitted to wagons with composite brake blocks which do not provide sparks; and whether they will seek to suspend the relevant European Union rules. [HL5977]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The requirement for fitment of spark guards is part of the specification in the Technical Specification for Interoperability (TSI) for freight wagon rolling stock where the floor of the wagon cannot offer an equivalent level of protection. The TSI is currently under revision and both UK and railway-sector representatives on the TSI drafting group will have the opportunity to argue for the disaggregation of the requirement for spark guards from wagons that use composite brake blocks. If such a revision is not supported by other European railways, the revised TSI could be drafted to include a specific case for the UK to provide for an ongoing alternative national requirement.
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Until the TSI is revised, individual vehicle projects can apply for derogation from the requirements of the TSI through a process set out in the directives on interoperability, as transposed in the current Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2006. Officials in the Department for Transport are also discussing the matter with the European Commission and the European Railway Agency.
Railways: Time-keeping
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the public performance measure suitably reflects the experience of travellers on journeys from London, in the light of changes to timetables in the past 15 years. [HL5905]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The public performance measure (PPM) reports punctuality at trains' destinations. In the case of trains from London, the PPM may be argued to be less reflective than in the case of trains to London, as fewer people are generally still on the train when it arrives at its destination.
However, in the case of trains both to and from London, there have been significant improvements in punctuality in the past few years. Steps taken to ensuring timetables more accurately allow for the times and margins needed to operate an increasingly busy service have contributed to this improved performance.
Railways: Track Safety
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will next discuss rail track safety and updating with the Office of Rail Regulation to resolve its reported disagreement with Network Rail; and what suggestions they will put forward. [HL5858]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The next regular meeting between Ministers and the chief executive and chairman of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) in November is scheduled for early in November.
The Office of Rail Regulation served an improvement notice on Network Rail on 9 June 2008. Network Rail has appealed against that notice. As is normal practice, an employment tribunal will handle the appeal process.
Railways: Travelling Times
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will review the effects of the public performance monitor on the willingness of train operating companies to allow trains to depart punctually without waiting for connecting passengers on slightly delayed services of other train operating companies. [HL5968]
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The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The decision to maintain rail connections when trains run late is an operational matter for train operators and Network Rail. However, such decisions are expected to take account of the particular circumstances and impact on passengers, in order to minimise the overall delay suffered.
The public performance measure is intended to reflect punctuality of a train operator as a whole.
Roads: Pedestrians
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in considering works under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and the Traffic Management Act 2004, local authorities have an obligation to take into account the effect on pedestrians. [HL5901]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 states that local traffic authorities have a duty to co-ordinate works on the highway to minimise the inconvenience to persons using the street. The street includes the carriageway and footway.
The Traffic Management Act 2004 introduced a network management duty requiring traffic authorities to secure the expeditious movement of traffic on their road network. The definition of traffic encompasses all road users, requiring the local traffic authority to consider the movement of pedestrians and cyclists, as well as motorised vehicles.
The statutory Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice states that pedestrians must have a safe unobstructed route, minimum 1 metre width, around any works.
Russia: Gas Supply
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions they and the European Union have had with the Government of Russia concerning the flaring of gas from oil wells and other installations; with what results; and what contribution they estimate that this practice in Russia makes to climate change. [HL5773]
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change & Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The UK-Russia Energy Forum, established by the then Secretary of State, Alastair Darling, and then Russian Energy Minister, Viktor Khristenko, in February 2007, covers a number of energy issues of mutual interest. The current focus of discussions is energy efficiency but gas flaring has been identified as a priority for the future. The EU-Russia energy dialogue, and in particular the joint group on energy efficiency, is the main forum for discussions between the EU and Russia on energy matters generally and energy efficiency in particular, including gas flaring.
4 Nov 2008 : Column WA47
The International Energy Agency estimates that carbon dioxide emissions from gas flaring in Russia in 2004 were 43 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, representing 15 per cent of Russian greenhouse gas emissions.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the European Commission's competition directorate has investigated the operations of Gazprom in Europe, as requested by Ministers in 2006; if so, with what result; and, if not, why not. [HL5774]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Council of Energy Ministers recently agreed the so-called third liberalisation package, which the UK supported and expects will improve the functioning of the EU energy market. It is hoped that the dossier can now be finalised with the European Parliament in time for it to come into force early in 2009.
The Commission, through its directorate-general for competition, is responsible for enforcing the competition rules of the Community treaties to ensure that competition in the EU market is not distorted and that markets operate as efficiently as possible. Information on the activities and investigations carried out by the European Commission's competition authorities is available on the directorate-general for competition's website.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the European Union will allow Gazprom to acquire further European distribution networks and refineries, if it is not in the interests of European consumers and companies. [HL5775]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The European Commission, through its directorate-general for competition, is responsible for enforcing the competition rules of the Community treaties to ensure that competition in the EU market is not distorted and that markets operate as efficiently as possible for the benefit of European consumers and the European economy. Should the European Competition authorities believe that any third-country company trying to acquire an interest in a European business were a threat to competition under the treaties, it would be for those authorities to examine the issues and determine the appropriate action.
In the UK, the Office of Fair Trading, the independent consumer and competition authority, would assess whether or not any such transaction would be likely to damage consumer interests through restricting competition.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the European Union has considered the economic, political and environmental consequences of the proposed trans-Baltic gas pipeline Nord Stream; and, if so, with what conclusions. [HL5776]
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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The European Union, through the European Commission's DG for transport and energy, is keenly aware of concerns about the Nord Stream gas pipeline. The project is currently the subject of environmental impact assessments in a process involving all the countries around the Baltic, in line with the Espoo Convention as well as Council directive 97/11/EC and national permits and licences, and these processes must be allowed to run their normal course.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the European Union has investigated the trading activities and ownership of ITERA, Eural Trans Gas and RosUkrEnergo, in so far as they operate in Europe; and, if so, with what result. [HL5777]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The European Commission, through its directorate-general for competition, is responsible for enforcing the competition rules of the Community treaties to ensure that competition in the EU market is not distorted and that markets operate as efficiently as possible for the benefit of European consumers and the European economy. Information on the activities and investigations carried out by the European Commission's competition authorities is available on the directorate-general for competition's website.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the relationship between Gazprom and Sonatrach has any effects on competition in Europe. [HL5778]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We are monitoring the situation concerning Gazprom and Sonatrach and if we felt that there were any recent developments that raised competition issues we would take these up with the Commission.
St Andrews Agreement
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 13 October (WA 41), what progress has been made on the implementation of the St Andrews agreement; what are the elements of the agreement which relate to policing and justice; and whether the agreement covered all parties attending. [HL5788]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The St Andrews agreement was based on the twin foundations of power sharing and support for policing and the rule of law. All parties in the Assembly support these principles. Policing and the rule of law are dealt with at paragraphs 5 to 7 of the agreement.
Sudan
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ask the judges of the International Criminal Court to release the transcript of their discussion with the court's chief prosecutor, Luis
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The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): On 14 July the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court made a request to the pre-trial chamber for an arrest warrant to be issued for Sudanese President Umar Hasan al-Bashir. On 15 October, the pre-trial chamber issued a decision requesting the prosecution to submit additional supporting materials in relation to some confidential aspects of the prosecutor's request. I have placed in the Library of the House the original English language version of that decision by the pre-trial chamber. The hearing that took place on 1 October was, on the judges' decision, a closed session and a transcript is not available. We respect the need for certain sessions of the chamber to be held in closed session as decided by the judges.
Taxation: Methane and Nitrous Oxide
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 20 October (WA 79), whether those involved in the spending review would be in possession of data showing how much revenue has been raised by taxes on the generation of methane and of nitrous oxide; and, if so, how up-to-date such figures would be. [HL5922]
The Financial Services Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Myners): There are no taxes on the generation of methane or nitrous oxides and therefore there are no data about the revenues.
Taxation: Paper Returns
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which legislation allows Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to require those lodging paper tax returns to do so three months before those who use the HMRC's website. [HL6026]
The Financial Services Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Myners): The legislation specifying the dates for delivering tax returns on paper or electronically is:
personal return—Section 8(1D)-(1G), Taxes Management Act 1970, as enacted by Section 88(4) Finance Act 2007;trustee's return—Section 8A(1B)-(1E), Taxes Management Act 1970, as enacted by Section 89(4) Finance Act 2007; and4 Nov 2008 : Column WA50
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which legislation allows Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to levy a financial penalty for not meeting the due date for the return of paper tax returns, when the due date for electronic completion is three months later. [HL6027]
Lord Myners: The legislation which provides for a financial penalty for not meeting the due date for filing a tax return, whether on paper or electronically is:
personal return and trustee's return—Section 93(1)-(7), Taxes Management Act 1970; and partnership return—Section 93A(1)-(5) Taxes Management Act 1970.Transport: Heavy Goods Vehicles
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any proposals for charging heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures, as proposed by the European Commission (COM(2008) 436 final/2), including external costs associated with such vehicles. [HL5767]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The Department for Transport submitted an Explanatory Memorandum (EM) to the scrutiny committees covering this European Commission proposal. As stated in that EM, there are currently no plans to introduce a widespread lorry tolling or user charging arrangement.
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 20 October (WA 86), whether drivers of heavy goods vehicles examined at a roadside check and found to be in violation of traffic laws may (a) be required to pay an on-the-spot fine; (b) be required to appear in court prior to the levying of a fine; or (c) if they are based overseas, be required to remain the United Kingdom until the court hearing. [HL5920]
Lord Adonis: (a) Subject to legislation, as from spring 2009 the offending driver will be issued with a financial penalty deposit. This will be required to be paid on the spot from offending drivers who are unable to provide a satisfactory address within the UK. The amount will be equal to any fixed penalty they have been given and in more serious cases requiring court proceedings, an amount of £300 per offence.
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