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30 Oct 2002 : Column 854W—continued
Security Operation (Barrow)
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many personnel, at what cost, and how many Royal Navy vessels were involved in the security operation at Barrow-in-Furness for the docking of the Pacific Pintail and Pacific Teal vessels in September. [77769]
Mr. Wilson [holding answer 28 October 2002]: Security for the transportation of nuclear material is regulated by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS), the security regulator. It is not Government policy to disclose details of security measures taken in connection with nuclear material. The costs of compliance with regulatory nuclear security requirements are borne by the company. Details of those costs are a matter for BNFL.
No Royal Navy vessels were involved with the security operation at Barrow-in-Furness.
Trent Aero Engines
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Government has invested broken down by financial year, in Rolls-Royce plc for development of the next generation Trent aero engines; and if she will make a statement. [77905]
Alan Johnson: The Government will invest #250 million between the years 2000–2003, for the development of the Rolls-Royce Trent 600/900 aeroengines. Launch Investment has helped to maintain the UK's competence in aerospace research and development by supporting Rolls-Royce as a manufacturing centre of excellence in the UK. Rolls-Royce currently employs within the UK 26,500 employees in the civil aerospace sector.
Wind Turbines
Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce legislation to allow the development of offshore wind farms outside the 12-mile territorial limit; and if she will make a statement. [78142]
Mr. Wilson: It is important that a legislative framework is in place so that developers are able to build wind farms beyond the 12-mile territorial sea limit. The Government intends to legislate as soon as a place for a Bill is available in the legislative programme.
TRANSPORT
Air Transport (Consultation Document)
Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many copies of the Department's consultation paper on Future Development of Air Transport in the UK: South East have been issued with the figure of #15,000 instead of #1,500 in paragraph
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19.19; and what measures have been taken to inform those in possession of the erroneous publication of this mistake. [76810]
Mr. Jamieson: In paragraph 19.9 of XThe Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East)" main, and the second paragraph of section 12.2 of the XSouth East summary consultation" document the correct wording should be X. . .subject to a maximum payment of #15,000."
The error has been corrected in reprints of both documents and an erratum has been posted for the web version. Letters correcting the error are being sent to all residents who received a summary document in the initial mailing. The hon. Member will also want to be aware that as part of the compulsory purchase policy review, my right hon Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is currently consulting on options that might lead to the revision of the existing Home-loss payments provisions.
A27
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his plans in respect of the Beddingham level crossing on the A27; and whether his plans will include options for consultation with the public. [77689]
Mr. Jamieson: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Tim Matthews to Norman Baker, dated 30 October 2002:
- XI have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question in respect of the Beddingham Level Crossing on the A27 and plans for public consultation.
- Because of the urgent need to improve safety for both road and rail users at the level crossing, the Highways Agency is consulting on proposals to provide a bridge over the crossing. This was announced in the recent Press Notice (HA483/02) giving details of the Government's rolling programme for dealing with congestion and safety at junctions on the trunk road. The proposals being developed take into account the recommendations from the South Coast Multi Modal Study (SOCOMMS).
- The safety issues with the level crossing are long standing and are likely to increase in future due to possible increases in train services along the south coast line. Traffic management measures have been installed with some beneficial effect but the Agency, Railtrack and the Health and Safety Executive (HOUSE) do not see these as the solution. The HSE (Railway Inspectorate) consider that whilst the number of incidents has reduced the crossing is a high risk site and the highest in the south east. Without grade separation soon the Executive will instruct Railtrack to install full barriers at the crossing instead of the existing half barriers. Should this happen the lost time to road traffic will rise to approximately 20–24 minutes in any hour. This would have a dramatic effect on road capacity and result in a significant increase in the delays that already occur and the amount of queuing currently experienced during peak periods along the A27 in both directions. This in turn would lead to greater pressure on parallel routes as traffic sought to avoid the delays.
- We are arranging a public exhibition for the first week in December, with a Preview exhibition for Councillors, and other elected representatives on the 5th December. A newsletter will be issued to local residents shortly, explaining our proposals and inviting them to an exhibition. We will write to you again nearer December with a formal invitation to the Preview and exhibition.
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- If you would like any further details Phil Barnett (Project Manager on 01306–878481) or Paul Arnold (Team Leader on 01306 878475) in our Dorking office would be pleased to help you."
A59 (Lancashire)
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will examine the safety of the junction of the A59 in Lancashire at the Clitheroe and Sabden turnoffs and fund changes to it. [77654]
Mr. Jamieson: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr Nigel Evans, dated 30 October 2002:
- XI have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent parliamentary question about safety on the A59 trunk road at the Pendle Road/Sabden Road staggered junction in Lancashire.
- The Highways Agency has been monitoring accidents at the junction following the improvements that were undertaken in 1999. The analysis of this accident data indicates a common factor in all of the accidents, namely, collisions between vehicles emerging from the side roads and traffic travelling through the junction on the A59. A number of options have been identified to address this type of accident, and a detailed traffic count and analysis of turning movements is currently under way.
- We are in discussion with the Lancashire Police and plan to meet with them again early next month to agree a strategy for implementing any changes. Our provisional view is that the most appropriate solution would be to make modifications to the existing junction. Our preferred options involve introducing right turn bans, to limit the risk of conflicts occurring, and measures to narrow the A59 carriageway through the junction to restrict opportunities for overtaking and to reduce speed.
- As you may be aware, the A59 is one of a number of routes identified for transfer to local highway authorities in the 1998 White Paper, XA New Deal for Trunk Roads". Under this process, known as detrunking, we are working to a programme for transferring responsibility for the A59 to Lancashire County Council in the spring of next year. This process allows for a fair and equitable transfer of funds to local highway authorities that the Agency would have spent on these roads, including finance for possible schemes such as this.
- Depending on the extent of the changes that are adopted to this junction, it may be possible for the Agency to undertake the work within funding allocated for this financial year. Should this not be the case, then it will be for Lancashire County Council as the new highway authority to decide on the improvements they wish to take forward from the funds that they are allocated.
- I hope this is helpful. If you would like any further information about this matter, please contact the Agency's Route Manager for the A59, Trevor Hunt, Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M1 4BE (Tel 0161 930 5691)."
Airport Security
Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to review airport security measures. [78601]
Mr. Darling: Aviation security measures remain at an enhanced level following the attacks on 11 September last year. The Government keep these measures under constant review, and from time to time additional protective steps will be taken as the situation demands.
In May this year, as part of the process of continuing review, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I appointed Sir John Wheeler to conduct an independent examination of airport security. The terms of reference
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for this work, set out in full in the report Sir John submitted to us on 13 September, included a focus on the threat from serious and organised crime at UK airports and the role of the Police Service.
The Government are grateful to Sir John for the care with which he analysed the issues, and we have considered carefully his findings and recommendations. These, together with his introduction to the report, are today being placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The main body of the document contains information about operational security matters, and for that reason it would not be appropriate to publish the report in its entirety.
The Report endorses the National Aviation Security Programme and the commitment of those working to deliver its objectives. It also makes some valuable recommendations around the need to strengthen strategic direction, to undertake a detailed multi-agency assessment of the potential threats from serious and organised crime, and to overhaul the arrangements by which airports may be 'designated' for policing by uniformed officers. The Government are happy to accept in principle all of Sir John's recommendations. My Department and the Home Office are working closely together on implementation, which will bring in the police and other control agencies and the airport industry.
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