§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's(a) policy and (b) advice on the use of hand-held mobiles while driving. [77070]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe advice in Rule 127 of The Highway Code is never to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving. The Department's leaflet 'Mobile Phones and Driving' provides more detailed advice—the text is
(i) The Northern Lighthouse Board (a) Number of people employed 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 Average number of employees(inc.part-time) 395 359 365 369 358 1 343 Part-time 151 142 146 160 157 1 135 1 Average for the Year to 30 September 2002 (b) The role of the Northern Lighthouse Board is to provide and maintain aids to navigation around the coastline of Scotland and the Isle of Man and to deliver a reliable and economical service that enables all classes of mariner to navigate safely within its area of responsibility.
(c) Annual budget £million 1997–98 23,461 1998–99 22,057 1999–2000 28,185 2000–01 22,930 2001–02 24,210 2002–03 22,140 (ii) The commission for integrated Transport
The Commission for integrated Transport was established in july 1999.
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(a) Number of people employed 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 Board members 17 17 17 Secretariat 6 7 10 available on-line at "www.think.dft.gov.uk/mobile/ index.htm". This advice has been supported by publicity campaigns.
The Government is currently inviting comments on the possible introduction of a specific offence to prohibit the use of any hand-held mobile phone or similar device by drivers. The Department's consultation document is available on-line at Views are requested by 25 November.