HC Deb 27 October 2003 vol 412 cc65-6WS
Mr. Allan

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Regulatory Impact Assessment on local government and the utility companies of the proposed Traffic Management Bill will be made available to Parliament. [134102]

Mr. McNulty

As and when the Traffic Management Bill is introduced we intend to publish and make available to Parliament a Regulatory Impact Assessment at the same time.

Mr. Allan

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the impact of the introduction of broadband has been taken into account in the Regulatory Impact Assessment on local government and the utility companies of the proposed Traffic Management Bill. [134103]

Mr. McNulty

In drawing up Regulatory Impact Assessments on the proposed Traffic Management Bill and secondary legislation flowing from it we will be taking into account, amongst other things, the possible impact on the rollout of broadband as well as on the work programmes of other utility sectors including gas, water and electricity.

Mr. Allan

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the parties who have been asked by his Department to contribute to the Regulatory Impact Assessment on local government and the utility companies of the proposed Traffic Management Bill. [134104]

Mr. McNulty

We have consulted a wide range of different bodies on the measures under consideration for inclusion in the proposed Traffic Management Bill. In particular, in February this year we set up a working group, on which various Government Departments were represented, together with the utility regulators—OFWAT, OFGEM and OFTEL—and representatives of utility companies and local authorities. In drafting a Regulatory Impact Assessment for the proposed Bill, we are taking account of the different views put forward in the working group together with written contributions which we have received from utilities, highway authorities and others. We would also propose to consult widely on the secondary legislation which we envisage would be needed following the Bill to set out the detailed changes to the existing legislative regime.