Written Answers to Questions

Friday 7 March 2003

PRIME MINISTER

Spain

Mr. Spring: To ask the Prime Minister whether the (a) Convention on the Future of Europe and (b) Gibraltar were discussed at his meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister on 27 February; what the outcome of the discussions was; and if he will make a statement. [101375]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 6 March 2003]: My talks with the Spanish Prime Minister on 27–28 February covered a wide range of issues, foremost of which was Iraq. We discussed the Convention on the Future of Europe, and issued a joint statement on the future institutional framework of the European Union. Gibraltar was also discussed briefly. Copies of the statements agreed at the summit have been placed in the Library of the House. The full texts are also available on the website of the British Embassy in Madrid, www.ukinspain.com.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Air and Seaports Police

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions his Department has had with the Home Secretary's Department with a view to creating a combined air and seaports police for the whole of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [90131]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Whilst security is kept under continual review, especially so following the terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001, there have been no discussions between the Home Office and the Northern Ireland Office to create a combined air and seaports police for the UK.

However, on 19 December last year, and following a Governments led review of aviation security, the Secretary of State for the Department for Transport did announce the development of a capability to place covert, specially trained armed police officers aboard UK civil aircraft.

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions have been held with the Belfast Harbour Police about extending their jurisdiction to include providing an armed police presence at Belfast City Airport. [90130]

Mr. Paul Murphy: The need for an armed police presence at Belfast City Airport was identified as part of the continual review of security measures at the Airport. As the airport is located within the wider Belfast Harbour estate, it is right and proper that the Belfast

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Harbour Police should be included in consultations on how to meet the required level of service. These discussions are currently being taken forward by the airport authorities.

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about security at Belfast City Airport; and when he intends that uniformed armed police will be introduced. [90132]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Security at Belfast City Airport is kept under continual review. The need for an armed police presence was identified as part of this on-going process. This measure should be in place in the very near future.

Broadband Telecommunications

Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when broadband telecommunications access will be made available throughout Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [100876]

Mr. Pearson: Telecommunications provision is a matter for the private sector. The Government's role is to work with the private sector to encourage the provision of broadband services across Northern Ireland.

To this end the government, through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, is involved in a range of activities including: technology trials and pilot action work under the UK Broadband Fund; a satellite programme in non-ADSL enabled areas; and a flagship call to stimulate broadband applications, content and services.

In addition, the Government is conducting a feasibility study into broadband aggregation in preparing a telecommunications strategy for the region, taking powers to enable it to provide supportive funding; and working on a Local Access Call which is consistent with EU State Aid Requirements. It is also working with the relevant RoI authorities on the preparation of a Call for cross-border telecommunications infrastructure projects with funding from the third EU Integrated Regional Development Programme (Interreg III).

West Belfast Task Force

Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in implementing the report of the West Belfast Task Force. [100426]

Mr. Pearson: The report of the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Task Forces contained a wide range of recommendations relevant to the work of most Northern Ireland Departments. The Executive provided an initial response in June 2002.

An updated Government response document, detailing progress and planned actions, was provided to the two Task Forces in December and I met and discussed it with them on 23 January. There is regular contact between Departments and the Task Forces liaison group and I plan to meet local representatives again soon to ensure that this momentum is maintained.

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TRANSPORT

Railway Standards and Safety Board

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to which organisations the proposed Railway Standards and Safety Board will report. [98338]

Mr. Jamieson: The Office of the Rail Regulator has proposed that the Rail Safety and Standards Board will follow the company limited by guarantee model used for Network Rail and as such will be accountable to its membership drawn from the rail industry.

Crossrail

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the completion date for (a) Crossrail 1 and (b) Crossrail 2; and if he will make a statement. [100898]

Mr. Jamieson: Completion dates for Crossrail 1 and 2 would depend on decisions yet to be taken on whether, and if so how, either project should be taken forward.

Airports (South-East)

Dr. Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he estimates the demand forecast in the February 2003 South East and East of England Regional Air Services document for Packages 20 and 21 in Annex D would be affected by Packages 6 and 9 in Annex D on the basis of availability of capacity in (a) 2011 and (b) 2024; and how Packages 6 and 9 would affect the Internal Rate of Return and Net Present Value of Packages 20 and 21. [100859]

Mr. Jamieson: Although not specifically modelled, the impact of one or two additional Gatwick runways (package 6 or package 9) on package 21 (four new runways at Cliffe) would be to lower the economic benefits and financial internal rate of return from investing at Cliffe. Delaying the opening of a new Gatwick runway in package 20 (two runways at Cliffe in 2011 plus a narrow-spaced runway at Gatwick) from 2021 to 2024 reduces the present value of net economic benefits from that package by £180 million; there may also be a small impact on financial returns.

Chancery Lane Accident

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what indications he has received that the Automatic Train Operation System was a contributory factor in the recent Chancery Lane accident on the London Underground; and if he will make a statement. [101321]

Mr. Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of Wednesday 5 March 2003.

Low-cost Airlines

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Official Report, columns 625–26W, on low-cost airlines, if he will establish rules to provide for compensation for consequential loss to air passengers whose flights are cancelled more than two weeks before departure. [101804]

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Mr. Jamieson: Passengers suffering losses as a result of the cancellation of their flight may, if the flight was not part of an ATOL bonded package, seek redress via the courts. Determination of the extent of an airline's liability towards its passengers depends very much on the circumstances of each case, making the establishment of rules on compensation for consequential loss very difficult. The Government therefore does not intend to establish rules but to rely on existing judicial procedures for the settlement of claims.

Invalid Carriages

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from suppliers of (a) invalid carriages, (b) electric scooters and (c) power chairs regarding the road safety implications of their use; and if he will make a statement. [101803]

Mr. Jamieson: I have not received any representations from suppliers of powered wheelchairs or powered scooters (both of which are described in law as ''invalid carriages'') about their road safety implications.

I will, however, shortly be launching a comprehensive review of the construction and use requirements of these vehicles and suppliers will be among those whose views we will be seeking.

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