Cycling
Mr Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will consider the proposals made by the Cycling Stakeholder Forum for a cross-departmental action plan to increase cycle use and improve the safety of cyclists. [114036]
Norman Baker [holding answer 28 June 2012]: I have seen the proposals from the Cycling Stakeholder Forum and discussed them with the group.
Aviation: Working Hours
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what her policy is on the adoption by the UK of European Aviation Safety Agency flight time limitations without the incorporation of (a) a 30 minute reduction in flight duty period (FDP) for each sector after the first and a reduction in FDP of twice the sleep lost due to early rising and (b) other scientific recommendations in the Appendix to the Comment Response Document to NPA 2010-14. [114879]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 2 July 2012]: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is still considering the responses to its consultation. We will consider our position, taking into account advice from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), once a final set of rules has been proposed. We will not support EASA’s proposals if they do not provide an adequate level of protection against fatigue.
Transport
Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what weighting is given to the (a) economic, (b) social, (c) health and (d) environmental benefits of new transport projects. [113953]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport uses the Transport Business Case when making decisions on transport investments. This is set out in five sections, consistent with the Treasury Green Book, to consider the strategic, economic, financial, commercial and management aspects of a project. Guidance on Transport Business Cases can be found on the DfT website at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/transport-business-case/
No weighting is given to any of the individual sections in the overall business case. The Secretary of State considers the evidence presented in the overall business case when making decisions on investments.
The economic, social, health and environmental impacts are mainly considered in the strategic and economic sections. DfT’s approach to appraising these impacts, including values where appropriate, is published in its transport appraisal guidance (WebTAG). WebTAG can be found on the DfT website at:
www.dft.gov.uk/webtag/
