7100

257

Written Answers

13 JUNE 1979

Mr. Straw asked the Minister of Trans- port how many driving test examiners were employed in the Blackburn driving test Centre in 1977, 1978 and May 1979; and what was the ratio of tesis per exam- inor in (a) Blackburn, (b) the North-West and (c) Great Britain generally.

North-Western traffic area Great Britain

Similar information for the Blackburn centre is not readily available.

M25

Mr. McCrindle asked the Minister of Transport if he will confirm that the com- pletion of the M25 continues to be accoï- ded the highest priority among road pro- jects.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke: Yes.

A13 to Mar Dyke

Mar Dyke to North Ockendon

North Ockendon to A12

A12 to M11

...

Public Transport Operators

(Fuel Oil Supply)

Mr. Walter Johnson asked the Minister of Transport what actina he proposes to take to ensure an adequate supply of fuel oils to public transport operators to en- able them to serve the needs of the travel ling public without any cut-back in exist- ing scheduled services.

Mr. Fowler: The Government consider that public transport operators should have a fair share of oil supplies but, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy said on 11 June, the Gov- ernment look to all users to reduce their consumption to match the reduction in oil supplies wherever possible.

Rail Electrification

Mr. Walter Johnson asked the Minister of Transport if he will authorise the British Railways Board to embark upon an immediate programme of further rail electrification projects as a contribution to easing the long-term effects of the energy crisis.

Mr. Fowler: A joint steering group from my Department and the Railways

3 M 22

Written Answers

258

259

Mr. Kenneth Clarke: In May 1977, 1978 and 1979, five examiners were em- ployed at the Blackburn centre. It is hoped shortly to increase this number.

The average numbers of tests conduṛted by examiners in the North-Western traffic area and in Great Britain generally .n the last three full years were:

1976

1,426

1,475

1977

1,369 1,457

1973

1,409

1,449

Mr. McCrindle asked the Minister of Transport if he will estimate the com- mencing and completion dates of the A13-A12 and A12-M11 sections of the M25, respectively.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke: The estimated dates are given below. They are subject ́ to satisfactory completion of any out- anding statutory procedures and to avail- ability of funds.

* Estimated

cominencement date

Under construction. August 1979

Late 1979

Early to mid-1980

Estimated conpiction date Mid-1981

Early 1952 Mid-1982

Early to mid-1982

Board is reviewing the case for a pro- gramme of main line electrification. When I have its report I shall obviously give due weight to energy considerations.

Freight Haulage by Rail

Mr. Knox asked the Secretary of State for Transport what grants he has made under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974.

Written Answ

passed through or Kong; and if he will s to their proposed e

a

Mr. Blakey: Since Vietnamese refugees Hong Kong, nearly 5 year. About 11,000 to settle there. been resettled in third June 51,783 were in H resettlement.

A

Their e

are a matter for the U Commissioner for Re tion with the Govern resettlement countries.

Mr. Wau asked th if he will again raise refugees from Vitna Nations and demand to solve this growing

Mr. Hurd: My rig Prime Ministër has special conference sl under United Nation sider the grave situa Vietnam's inhuman national action to r

CHRG D

14/01

1 M. Willamm

Mr. Fowler: I have today agreed two grants totalling £581,000. Tilbury Road- 1 stone Ltd. will receive £469,000 towards the cost of an aggregate depot at Bar- ham at Ipswich; Shipbreaking (Queen- borough) Ltd. will receive £112,000 to- wards the cost of improving sidings for handling scrap metal at its Queenborough Works, Kent. These two schemes, in- volving at least 400,000 tonnes, will be of significant environmental benefit to com- munities in East Anglia, Kent and London.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH

AFFAIRS

Vietnamese Refugees

Mr. Wall asked the Lord Privy Seal how many Vietnamese refugees have

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