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Large fluctuations in the percentage figures in the table were the result of interruptions to services due to infrastructure improvements, a revised timetable and the impact of the introduction of new trains. Overall, the actual number of train journeys increased by some 15 per cent over the past five years (from 6.7 million to 7.7 million).
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Whether they are still considering extensions to the railway network in Northern Ireland; and, if so, where. [HL957]
Lord Rooker: There are no plans to extend the railway network in Northern Ireland.
Roads: Motorcycle Accidents
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people have been killed as a result of motorcycle accidents in Northern Ireland this year and for each of the past four years. [HL698]
Lord Rooker: I have been informed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland of the following:
| Road User Category | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 (to 31 Oct) |
| Source: PSNI Central Statistics Unit | |||||
Roads: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Rooker: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the noble Lord in response to this Question.
Letter from Dr Malcolm McKibbin to Lord Laird dated December 2006.
You recently asked Her Majesty's Government a Parliamentary Question about what proposals they have to improve the traffic flow in Enniskillen County. As this issue falls within my responsibility as chief executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
Traffic congestion in Enniskillen is typical of many similar provincial towns in Northern Ireland. However, it is recognised by Roads Service that Enniskillen is an island town and that this in itself contributes to problems for traffic progression. We are, therefore, progressing two significant schemes to address traffic congestion in the town. Gaol Square is to be signalised (to facilitate a major redevelopment with the developer bearing the costs). Also, notices of statutory orders were published in December 2006, for a scheme to provide an additional lane on the western (Henry Street) approach to the town.
I am also pleased to advise that another major works scheme, Cherrymount Link, (which will link the A32 Irvinestown Road with the B80 Tempo Road) is being progressed. It is hoped to publish statutory orders for this scheme in mid-2007.
Roads: Street Lights
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
When the process of putting new street lights on the Earlswood Road, East Belfast commenced; when it is planned that the works will be completed; and why no work has been carried out during the past two months. [HL617]
Lord Rooker: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the noble Lord in response to this Question.
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Letter from Dr Malcolm McKibbin to Lord Laird
You recently asked Her Majesty's Government a Parliamentary Question about when the process of putting new street lights on the Earlswood Road, East Belfast commenced; when it is planned that the works will be completed; and why no work has been carried out during the past two months. As these issues fall within my responsibility as chief executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
Work on the replacement of the old existing street lighting on Earlswood Road commenced in July 2006. At that time, it was anticipated that it would be completed by September 2006. Unfortunately, during the execution of the work, it was found that the proposed location of the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) supply control point was unsuitable due to the presence of other underground services.
I am pleased to report that following discussions with NIE, a new location for the supply control point has been found and that it is now planned to have the new lighting operational by 5 January 2007.
In the mean time, Roads Service will continue to maintain the existing street lights. I hope this information is helpful.
Science: Skills
Lord Stoddart of Swindon asked Her Majesty's Government:
By what means and when since 1997 they have made or received estimates of likely shortfalls in the number of skilled or otherwise qualified personnel to fulfil the needs of science-related industries; and what steps they are taking to review and plan for any current or future deficit. [HL711]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Truscott): The recent Leitch review on skills supports the stance that estimating the exact number of skilled or otherwise qualified personnel to fulfil the needs of science-related industries is difficult and not advisable in a dynamic and rapidly changing economy. It does not believe that the Government should aim to predict the impact of future technological advances and attempt centrally to provide the skills they believe will be necessary.
The Government can and do analyse data on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, employment rates of science graduates, international comparisons of stocks and flows of science skills, and consider national employer skills surveys. Such analyses (for example, the DTI's economic paper No. 16 Science, Engineering and Technology Skills in the UK March 2006, and DfES research report 775: The Supply and Demand for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Skills in the UK Economy) suggest that, at the broadest level, the supply of STEM skills is likely to meet demand over the next decade. However, we accept that there is the need for further action regarding the situation for specific science subjects,
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The Government have, therefore, made science education a high priority. The Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-14: Next Steps and STEM programme reports set out our commitment to improving STEM skills by increasing attainment of science and mathematics at GCSE level, increasing participation in science subjects post-16 and improving the quality and number of science teachers.
Single/Double Summer Time
Lord Tanlaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can demonstrate with proven statistics that the current use of Greenwich Mean Time +1, which is not synchronised with Central European Time, creates better conditions for the financial services industry combined with trade and travel to Europe than if the nation switched to single/double summer time, which is synchronised with Central European Time. [HL974]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Truscott): There are potential advantages and disadvantages of a change to the summer time arrangements, which would have an impact on a range of industries including financial services, trade and travel.
We consider that the present situation is a satisfactory compromise between those who prefer lighter mornings and those who prefer lighter evenings and we are not convinced that a change to our winter time and summer time arrangements would be in the best interests of the UK.
Special Advisers
Lord Campbell-Savours asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Further to the comments by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 13 December (HL Deb, col. 1519), whether the contents of the e-mail sent by special adviser Damien McBride to Sky television complied with paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers; and, if not, what action they will take; and [HL929]
Further to the comments by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 13 December (HL Deb, col. 1519), whether special adviser Damien McBride complied with paragraph 15C (Conduct and Confidentiality) of the Model Contract of Employment provided in the case of special advisers. [HL930]
Lord McKenzie of Luton: All Treasury members of staff are expected to follow the relevant codes of conduct for their employment, whether they are special advisers or civil servants, but we do not discuss individual cases.
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Stormont Parliament Buildings: Ministerial Offices
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Which ministerial office accommodation in Stormont Parliament Buildings is currently occupied; by whom it is occupied; and from when they have occupied the accommodation. [HL832]
Lord Rooker: No ministerial office accommodation is currently occupied in Parliament Buildings.
Sudan: Investments
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:
What endowments and investments are held by the parliamentary pension fund or by the Government in companies with commercial interests in Sudan; how large are these endowments; who controls them; and whether they have plans to disinvest until the end of hostilities in Darfur. [HL768]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): The investment of the assets of the parliamentary contributory pension fund is a matter for the fund's trustees. There is no centrally held information setting out the commercial interests of companies in which the Government are an investor.
Tax Credits
Baroness Noakes asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Whether persons serving custodial sentences are entitled to claim (a) working tax credits, or (b) any other tax credits; and, if so, how much has been paid in each of the past two financial years; and to how many claimants.[HL519]
Lord McKenzie of Luton: Families’ entitlement to tax credits does not stop because one of the family is in prison. The children and partner still need to be supported and, in some instances, prisoners could be named on a claim that predates their imprisonment without impacting on the value of the award.
Transport: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Lord Rooker: Currently, the bus and rail public transport services provided by the subsidiaries of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company are co-ordinated under the brand name Translink. These comprise the majority of public transport services in Northern Ireland.
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On 22 August 2006, the Minister for Regional Development, David Cairns, MP, announced the Government’s plans for the future governance, regulation and delivery of public transport in Northern Ireland.
The proposals include the creation of a unitary public transport authority that would comprise district councillors drawn from the new local authorities being created in Northern Ireland.
The new public transport authority will have responsibility for planning, designing and securing public transport services, both bus and railway services. This is intended to ensure that there will continue to be a unified, integrated and co-ordinated approach to public transport provision and development in Northern Ireland.
Trees
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many unlawful infringements of tree preservation orders have occurred in Northern Ireland since 1 January 2003; and where those multiple infringements have taken place.[HL462]
Lord Rooker: The number of unlawful infringements of tree preservation orders subject to enforcement action and their divisional location since 1 January 2003 is as follows:
| Division | Enforcement cases |
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many cases are being prosecuted in Northern Ireland in respect of the unlawful destruction of trees that were subject to tree preservation orders since 1 January 2003.[HL463]
Lord Rooker: Since 1 January 2003, one case has been prosecuted and action is pending on a second.
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