§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many kerbside emission tests have been undertaken by the Vehicle Inspectorate in each of the last three years; and how many notices have been issued to drivers as a result of these tests. [11243]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from R. J. Oliver to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 23 January 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of kerbside emission tests in each of the last years and how many notices have been issued.Information is not held which differentiates between checks carried out as the roadside and those done, for instance, at operators' premises. The attached table shows the total number of special checks for emissions and the total number of prohibitions issued in each of the last three years.The reason for the increase in prohibition rates between 1992/3 and 1994/5 is due mainly to the introduction of objective measurement of diesel smoke.(ii) publicity costs, (iii) accountancy fees and (iv) management consultancy fees; [10972]
(2) what have been the running costs relating to the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction (a) in real terms and (b) in 177W cash terms disaggregated by (i) staff costs, (ii) information technology and (iii) other costs. [10973]
§ Mr. Watts[holding answer 22 January 1996]: Attracting private finance for infrastructure investment affects policy work throughout the Department and the related expenditure on running costs cannot be estimated in isolation.
Departmental expenditure on external consultants engaged in work related to tendering private finance projects over the period in question is as follows:
Expenditure (£ thousand) (a) 1995–96 prices (b) Cash terms (i) Legal fees 5,950 5,850 (ii) Publicity costs 50 50 (iii) Accountancy fees 700 700 (iv) Management consultancy fees 5,650 5,600