HC Deb 30 January 2004 vol 417 cc531-2W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used to determine which Rural Bus Challenge grants are awarded. [152122]

Mr. McNulty

The main objective of the Rural Bus Challenge is to encourage cost-effective innovation in the provision or promotion by local authorities of rural bus transport. The full criteria used in assessing bids to the 2003 competition are set out in guidance to local

Year in which public inquiry started Title of Transport and Works Act 1992 application/order Period from end of inquiry to receipt of inspector's report (weeks) Period from receipt of inspector's report to decision (weeks)
2003 Proposed London Gateway Logistics and Commercial Centre Order Inspector's report awaited —
2003 Proposed Midland Metro (Birmingham City Centre Extension, etc.) Order Inspector's report awaited —
2003 Proposed Docklands Light Railway (Woolwich Arsenal Extension) Order 11 Under consideration
2003 Proposed River Tyne (Tunnels) Order 23 Under consideration
2002 Proposed Greater Manchester (Leigh Busway) Order 22 Under consideration
2002 Proposed Network Rail (West Coast Main Line) (No. 2) Order 26 Under consideration
2001 The Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Trafford Depot) Order 9 30
2001 Proposed Yorkshire Marina (Bridlington) (Works) Order 20 23
2001 Proposed Fawley Branch Line Improvements Order 40 Under consideration
2001 The Network Rail (West Coast Main Line) Order 30 38
2000 The Railtrack (Shortlands Junction) Order 10 16
2000 The London Underground (East London Line Extension) (No. 2) Order 5 43
2000 The Docklands Light Railway (Silvertown and London City Airport Extension) Order 17 53
2000 The Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Land Acquisition) Order 5 21
2000 The Alconbury Airfield (Rail Facilities and Connection to East Coast Main Line) Order 76 35
2000 The Chester Guided Busway Order 15 33
2000 Proposed London International Freight Exchange and Proposed London International Freight Exchange (Variation) Orders—joint inquiry 27 15
1999 The South Hampshire Rapid Transit Order 13 51
1999 The Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Trafford Park) Order 11 51

Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff there are in his Department's Transport and Works Act processing unit, broken down by grade; and how many are(a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) casual workers. [149988]

Mr. Jamieson

The Department's Transport and Works Act Orders Unit currently consists of 13 members of staff. The following table breaks down the Unit's staff into the categories requested.

authorities issued in July 2003, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of the House and on the Department's website.