Lords Hansard text for 12 Dec 200712 Dec 2007 (pt 0005)

Sport: Ticket Prices

Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations the Minister for Sport has received from the chief executive of Manchester United supporters trust regarding the Minister's recent public comments on ticket prices; what reply is being sent; and whether any action is being considered. [HL355]

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Minister for Sport received a letter from Duncan Drasdo, chief executive of the Manchester United supporters trust, on 15 November 2007 regarding ticket prices. He replied in full to the issues raised on 6 December.

There is a clear role for the Government to play in acting as a “critical friend” to football, and in seeking to start useful debates around areas of concern across all levels of sport. However, it would not be right for the Government to seek to intervene in these issues directly. Whilst the Minister for Sport will continue to raise these issues in discussions with the football authorities, we have asked Mr Drasdo to raise his concerns directly with both the FA and supporters direct.

The Government are committed to ensuring that all football clubs are run in the best possible way and that they remain a focal point of their local community.

12 Dec 2007 : Column WA76

Transport: Foreign Lorries

Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received representations from the Association of British Insurers regarding line safety of foreign lorries and drivers on British roads; and, if so, what is their response. [HL827]

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Department for Transport has recently received a copy of the report European Drivers: Crossing Borders Safely, prepared by the Association of British Insurers.

The report covers a wide range of issues, which the department is currently considering.

Waterways: Boatmasters Licence

Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:

What approved training courses are currently available for candidates wishing to achieve the tier 1 level 2 boatmasters’ licence; what is the estimated cost of the fees and examinations for these courses; and when the regulations requiring these qualifications will come into force. [HL714]

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Approved training courses are not required for the generic syllabuses for tier 1 level 2 BML, but the regulations require that a candidate passes either a written or an oral examination.

Examinations are currently being undertaken orally at MCA Marine Offices at a cost of £94.

The regulations came into force on 1 January 2007.

Zimbabwe: Driving Licences

Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 5 December (HL526), when they last assessed Zimbabwe as having satisfactory arrangements in place for the issue of driving licences and as having driving test and licensing procedures comparable to those in the United Kingdom; and whether they will reassess these arrangements and in the meanwhile suspend the validity of driving licences issued in Zimbabwe. [HL820]

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The arrangements concerning the issue of driving licences in Zimbabwe were last considered in the mid-1980s. There has been no formal review of the arrangements since that time but each application for licence exchange is examined on an individual basis.

There is currently no evidence that the exchange of Zimbabwean licences poses an additional threat to road safety. Officials will conduct a review in due course but the exchange of Zimbabwean licences will not be suspended in the mean time.

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