§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in theOfficial Report those areas of his departmental responsibility which extend to Scotland.
§ Mr. Channon[holding answer 18 December 1987]: The Secretary of State has the following responsibilities in Scotland:
Railways
Overall policy towards the railway network, statutory case work, and railway safety.Ports
All ports matters, other than marine works.Marine
The safety of merchant ships and fishing vessels; the prevention of marine pollution by ships and arrangements for cleaning up in the event of a serious pollution incident; the work of Her Majesty's Coastguard; marine pilotage; civil hydrography; oversight of the Northern Lighthouse Board.Shipping
Most aspects of shipping policy, including sponsorship of the shipping industry and defence and emergencies planning.Aviation
Policy towards the civil aviation industry; airports policy; sponsorship of the Civil Aviation Authority; policy on aircraft noise and security; accident investigations.Road traffic and licensing
Road traffic law and the Highway Code. The registration, licensing, construction, safety and testing of road vehicles; the licensing and testing of drivers; and related enforcement, including vehicle excise duty.Road haulage and bus services
The licensing of goods and PSV vehicle operators; the issue of international permits to road haulage operators; the registration of local bus services; fuel duty rebate; and the carriage of radioactive materials and dangerous goods.Research
Government-sponsored transport research (the Scottish Office undertakes additional research for local purposes).International
The conduct of transport international relations and negotiations, including aviation, shipping and road freight, either bilaterally or in international organisations such as the EC and ECMT.