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Tourism: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will take steps to enhance the appeal of Carrickfergus Castle as a tourist attraction. [HL2424]
Lord Rooker: Carrickfergus Castle is the most popular of the historic monuments cared for by Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), with almost 60,000 visitors in 2006. The staff complement includes a castle manager, assistant manager, custodian, tour guides and receptionists.
EHS's actions have included installing reduced-scale siege weaponry, refurbishing the model figures, upgrading the reception building (making it more suitable for disabled people) and improving the castle vaults for use by schools. During 2006 EHS carried out major conservation work on the walls on the seaward side. During 2007, work will continue on the entrance towers.
Other actions under way for 2007 include commissioning a new audio-visual presentation, producing a new guidebook, and further improving facilities for disabled people. EHS is considering opening sections of the wall walk to supervised groups and assembing military memorabilia.
The castle will host a number of events throughout 2007. These include a fencing competition in June, the Lughnasa Fair in July, the Halloween Fair in October, and a series of living history events and demonstrations throughout the year. The castle may also be used when Carrickfergus hosts the Walled Towns of Ireland Association in the autumn.
I am satisfied that EHS's programme of work is greatly enhancing the appeal of Carrickfergus Castle as a tourist attraction. The agency will continue to work with the council and tourism industry to achieve that.
Transport: Accidents
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
In respect of accidents on the roads and railways for each of the past five years, how many people died in (a) road, and (b) rail accidents, separated into (a) general public travelling; (b) transport workers engaged in maintenance; (c) suicides; and (d) level crossing accidents. [HL2374]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information requested on reported personal injury on road accidents has been published by the department on its website in table 8.2 of Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2006 edition. This table can be found at the following web address: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/tsgb/2006edition/sectioneight transportacciden1846. A copy of this publication is also available in the Libraries of the House.
Statistics on railway safety are published by the Office of Rail Regulation in its annual reports on railway safety, which are available in the Libraries of the House or from its website: www.rail-reg.gov.uk.
Transport: End-of-Life Vehicles Regulations
Earl Attlee asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the 85 per cent recycling target for 2006 under the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulations 2003 has been met; and, if not, when they expect it to be met. [HL2383]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Truscott): Vehicle manufacturers and authorised treatment facilities with recovery obligations under the End-of-Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005 are required to report to the Secretary of State by 1 April 2007 on the reuse, recovery and recycling rates achieved for vehicles they have treated in 2006. This information will be analysed and verified before being used to calculate the UK's overall recovery performance, which must be submitted to the Commission by mid-2008.
Transport: Retro-reflective Markings
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in light of the increased average cost of road traffic accidents indicated in the Department for Transport report, Road Casualties in Great Britain Main Results: 2005, they will commission Loughborough University to update its calculations of the cost benefit of making retro-reflective markings mandatory on heavy goods vehicles. [HL2510]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: No. There would be little point in asking Loughborough University to update its research as the decision has already been taken to require fitment of retro-reflective tape to new heavy trucks. Preparations are in hand for public consultation on an amendment to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations to implement the retro-reflective tape requirements from October 2009, the earliest date that contracting parties to UNECE Regulation 48 can refuse to register new heavy trucks not fitted with reflective tape.
Waterways: Grand Canal Dock
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
When the work being carried out on the refurbishment of the Grand Canal dock will be completed; at what cost; whether outside contractors were used; and, if so, how they were selected. [HL2427]
Lord Rooker: I understand from Waterways Ireland that this work is currently advertised for tender. It is intended that the work will be undertaken by a private contractor. This project will commence in 2007 and run into 2008.
The work is estimated to cost in the region of €1.3 million.
Selection of contractors is at all times carried out in accordance with the Waterways Ireland Financial Memorandum.
Waterways: Lough Erne
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
When the work being carried out on the navigational signage and installation of jetties in the Lough Erne water system will be completed; at what cost; whether outside contractors were used; and, if so, how they were selected. [HL2428]
Lord Rooker: The installation of navigation signage and jetties on Lough Erne forms part of Waterways Ireland's 2007 capital programme.
Navigational signage will be installed in 2007 as part of a rolling programme of signage modernisation. The current phase is due to be completed by December 2007, at an estimated cost of €11,000. Contractors will be used as and when required.
Jetties will be installed at a number of locations and are due to be completed by March 2008, at an estimated cost of €390,000. Contractors have been used to date and will continue to be used as and when required.
Selection of contractors is at all times carried out in accordance with the Waterways Ireland Financial Memorandum.
World War II: Compensation Payments
Lord Janner of Braunstone asked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to widen the criteria for granting compensation under the ex-gratia payments scheme for former civilian internees of the Japanese in World War II; and [HL2078]
Whether they will widen the criteria for granting compensation under the ex-gratia payments scheme for former civilian internees of the Japanese in World War II to include compensation to (a) siblings of those deemed eligible; (b) individuals whose birth certificates were held in Southport; (c) individuals who worked for the Government abroad for 20 years; and (d) those whose birth certificates were issued by colonial authorities; and [HL2079]
Whether they will re-examine the establishment of a hardship fund to grant compensation to those former civilian internees of the Japanese in World War II who are not deemed eligible for that compensation under present guidelines. [HL2080]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Following the implementation of the 20-year UK residence criterion last June, the Government made clear that an analysis would be carried out on the way the criterion was working and that they would seek the views of the Association of British Civilian Internees—Far East Region on the results of this analysis. That process is almost complete and my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Minster for Veterans will set out the Government's conclusions shortly.
World War II: Conscripted Coal-Miners
Lord Mason of Barnsley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which department is taking the lead in considering the request for some form of recognition for conscripted coal-miners during World War II; and whether the examination is being restricted to conscripts only. [HL2083]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): We expect to announce the Government’s specific proposals to give greater recognition to the Bevin Boys within the next few weeks.
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