HC Deb 25 November 1996 vol 286 cc58-9W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if operators with bases in the north-western and north-eastern traffic areas will be obliged to pay two licence fees when the offices are merged. [5174]

Mr. Bowis

The location of the office from which a licence is administered does not affect the fees charged. Operators with operator licences in separate traffic areas are required to pay a fee for each licence they hold.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of overtime hours currently worked in(a) the north-western traffic area and (b) the north-eastern traffic area. [5173]

Mr. Bowis

From the beginning of September to date, the total number of overtime hours worked is(a) North Western traffic area 529 and (b) North Eastern traffic area 921.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the current estimate of savings to be made as a result of the closure of the north-western traffic area office; [5175]

(2) what will be the impact on accommodation costs of the merger of the north-western and north-eastern traffic area offices in Leeds. [5176]

Mr. Bowis

The estimated annual savings, in 1996–97 prices, that will be made as a result of closing the north-western traffic area office in Manchester are £1.3 million of which some £267,000 can be attributed to accommodation savings. There will be some expenditure on handling the transferred work. Details have not been finalised and precise estimates of that expenditure are not yet available.