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Book Conservation
Lord Harrison asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 28 October (WA 150), what is their estimate of the shortfall in trained book conservators; and what steps they are taking to address this shortfall in view of the amount of material requiring conservation. [HL392]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: There is no estimate of the actual shortfall in trained book conservators for the requirements of UK national and regional libraries, museums and archives. However, DCMS is supporting the development of two sector skills councils (for lifelong learning and creative and cultural
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industries), which will be responsible for mapping the skills of the UK workforce, and identifying any gaps such as book conservation.
The British Library needs to recruit a minimum of four new book conservators each year to maintain existing levels, and estimates that only three graduates from this field each year go on to work in UK public sector conservation centres. To address this shortfall the British Library plans to offer its own conservation courses from 2006.
Olympic Games 2012: London Bid
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they believe that the cleanliness of the streets and roads in the London area will be a factor in the decision on Britain's application to host the 2012 Olympic Games; and, if so, what steps they are taking to improve the present situation. [HL404]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: In evaluating London's bid to stage the 2012 Olympic Games, the IOC will assess its strength across the 17 themes contained within London's candidature file (which was laid before the House on 19 November). As part of the bidding process London 2012 is working with the London boroughs and Transport for London to ensure we project a positive image of the city—and ensuring the everyday business of keeping London's streets clean is part of that.
Brittany Ferries: Assistance Dogs
Lord Tebbit asked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they will take to cause Brittany Ferries to change its policy of refusing to carry guide or help dogs on its services from British ports. [HL275]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Department for Transport officials met with the management team at Brittany Ferries earlier this year to discuss the company's policy on the carriage of assistance dogs.
Following that meeting Brittany Ferries agreed to set up a trial with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA). We understand that the trial is due to take place this month. We will follow up with Brittany Ferries and the GDBA when the results of that trial are reported.
Badgers
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the cost of providing badger runs and repairing railway embankments damaged by badgers for each of the railway regions for each year since 1997. [HL298]
Lord Davies of Oldham: This is an operational matter for Network Rail. Network Rail will respond directly to the noble Countess.
Railways: Suicides
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 1 December (WA 10), whether they propose to review their policies and those of the agencies concerned, relating to the prevention of suicides on the railways. [HL309]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Policies relating to the prevention of suicides on the railways are kept under constant review. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the independent railway health and safety regulator, continues to take a proactive approach to ensuring that unauthorised access to the railway infrastructure is minimised. However, it is virtually impossible to prevent a determined individual from gaining access to the railway.
The rail industry's Rail Fatality Management Group works with other agencies, including mental health organisations, to deal with the problem of suicides on the railways. The group is working to develop guidelines for preventing suicides and handling their aftermath.
Traffic Management Act 2004
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the permit fees payable by utility companies who wish to dig up the highway, laid down in the Traffic Management Act 2004, are sufficient to cover the costs to local government of administering the permit scheme, particularly in high cost areas such as London. [HL312]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The level of permit fees has yet to be agreed. That level will need to take account of highway authorities' existing duties in assessing the cost to them of operating permit schemes, and hence any fees to be paid. We intend going out to public consultation on the proposed level of the fee and other details of permit schemes shortly.
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the fixed penalty fines laid down in the Traffic Management Act 2004 for breaches of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 are sufficient, in view of the fact that these criminal offences are pursued through the magistrates' courts where the costs incurred by highway authorities exceed the likely fines imposed. [HL313]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Traffic Management Act 2004 increased the maximum fine for offences under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 which are prosecuted through the courts from level 3 (£1,000) to level 4 or 5 (£2,500 or £5,000 respectively).
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The new maximum fines have been brought in by the first commencement order under the 2004 Act for offences occurring on or after 4 October 2004. It is too early to say what effect this will have on the level of prosecutions by street authorities.
The 2004 Act also introduced a system of fixed penalty notices for breaches of seven offences under the 1991 Act. This is intended to provide street authorities with an alternative system of pursuing offences without recourse to the magistrates' courts. The aim will be to set a fixed penalty level which will act as a deterrent to possible offenders, yet will be low enough to make payment attractive so as to avoid involving the courts. The Department for Transport plans to consult shortly on the proposals for fixed penalty notices, including the level of penalty.
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend that the flexibility for local authorities to use the net revenue from parking enforcement penalty notices issued under the Traffic Management Act 2004 should extend to all functions or be confined to those relating to transport. [HL374]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Section 95 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (application of surplus income from parking places) was commenced on 4 October 2004 so that all authorities can now spend surplus income on local environmental improvements as well as provision of public passenger transport service and road improvements. We intend to make regulations in 2005 giving prescribed local authorities the freedom to spend surplus income for any purpose for which they may lawfully incur expenditure.
Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
What public sector funding has been sought to finance the construction of the proposed Great Yarmouth outer harbour. [HL335]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Funding to finance the construction of the proposed Great Yarmouth outer harbour is being sought from the East of England Development Agency, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Norfolk County Council and the objective 2 east of England programme of the European Regional Development Fund.
Hunting Act 2004
Lord Swinfen asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many dogs will be permitted on a legal shoot, involving more than one person, once the Hunting Act 2004 comes into force. [HL239]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): A shooting party may employ as many dogs as it likes, provided they are not used for hunting prohibited under the Hunting Act 2004.
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