Public petition from residents of the Borough of Stafford and others on traffic noise from the M6.

Public petition from residents of the Borough of Stafford and others on traffic noise from the M6.

Young James Morgan and his mum came to see me to ask for relief from the constant noise that they and all their neighbours endure from traffic on the M6 motorway, which runs past their home. I have asked the Highways Agency to make a number of changes to help...

Young James Morgan and his mum came to see me to ask for relief from the constant noise that they and all their neighbours endure from traffic on the M6 motorway, which runs past their home. I have asked the Highways Agency to make a number of changes to help...

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to amend the regulatory regime affecting connections to electricity supplies for lighting public places and street lighting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to amend the regulatory regime affecting connections to electricity supplies for lighting public places and street lighting.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the economic prospects for the UK road freight sector, with particular reference to the effects of (a) freight taxes, (b) excise duties and (c) fuel prices.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the economic prospects for the UK road freight sector, with particular reference to the effects of (a) freight taxes, (b) excise duties and (c) fuel prices.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to introduce a cabotage scheme for UK road use by overseas freight operators.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to introduce a cabotage scheme for UK road use by overseas freight operators.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the Audit Commission on the Commission’s recent report, Changing Lanes, targeting employers in order to deliver road safety messages to those who drive at work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the Audit Commission on the Commission’s recent report, Changing Lanes, targeting employers in order to deliver road safety messages to those who drive at work.

Will my hon. Friend confirm that not only has the Bill received support across the House of Commons, but a similar Bill was passed in the other place during the last parliamentary Session?

Will my hon. Friend confirm that not only has the Bill received support across the House of Commons, but a similar Bill was passed in the other place during the last parliamentary Session?

Historically, the next biggest objectors to the change, after Scottish interests, have been farmers. Can the hon. Gentleman confirm that on this occasion he has a letter from the National Farmers Union, representing England and Wales, that is much more supportive of the Bill?

Historically, the next biggest objectors to the change, after Scottish interests, have been farmers. Can the hon. Gentleman confirm that on this occasion he has a letter from the National Farmers Union, representing England and Wales, that is much more supportive of the Bill?

I congratulate the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on both his success in the ballot and the choice of subject of his Bill. I am here to support it, which he will no doubt be relieved to hear, as I am one of its sponsors. As the hon....

I congratulate the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on both his success in the ballot and the choice of subject of his Bill. I am here to support it, which he will no doubt be relieved to hear, as I am one of its sponsors. As the hon....

I recognise that argument. If the Bill were successful, and if a Scottish Parliament were considering whether to keep to the time zone in England, it would take that factor into account. A third, but still incomplete artificial change, was the adoption of daylight saving time. The hon. Member for...

I recognise that argument. If the Bill were successful, and if a Scottish Parliament were considering whether to keep to the time zone in England, it would take that factor into account. A third, but still incomplete artificial change, was the adoption of daylight saving time. The hon. Member for...

I mentioned walking.

I mentioned walking.

I agree that if many planes take off an hour later, it will probably benefit millions of people who live under the flight path, and who complain about the subject. I accept that.

I agree that if many planes take off an hour later, it will probably benefit millions of people who live under the flight path, and who complain about the subject. I accept that.

Clearly, that is not quite right, because we have rules about the number of night flights permitted, and airlines have to cut their cloth according to the time that we grant them for their landings in our airports. Lastly, health issues have changed since 1971. Although the same arguments were...

Clearly, that is not quite right, because we have rules about the number of night flights permitted, and airlines have to cut their cloth according to the time that we grant them for their landings in our airports. Lastly, health issues have changed since 1971. Although the same arguments were...

That is an unfair characterisation of my arguments. I gave the example of my playing rugby, but people undertake many activities as their exercise. That exercise can be as little as walking the dog for 20 minutes after work, or as much as playing a game of tennis before the...

That is an unfair characterisation of my arguments. I gave the example of my playing rugby, but people undertake many activities as their exercise. That exercise can be as little as walking the dog for 20 minutes after work, or as much as playing a game of tennis before the...

I am completely with my hon. Friend when it comes to the desirability of all-weather surfaces for sports facilities, and I agree that indoor facilities and lighting so that facilities can be used in the evenings are good. I would just point out that all those things are expensive. However...

I am completely with my hon. Friend when it comes to the desirability of all-weather surfaces for sports facilities, and I agree that indoor facilities and lighting so that facilities can be used in the evenings are good. I would just point out that all those things are expensive. However...

I take that point. I suppose that this is personal and anecdotal, but I used to be a keen rugby player when I was a lad. We did not stay away from the ruby pitch because it was cold, windy, wet and raining. We still played the game. I would...

I take that point. I suppose that this is personal and anecdotal, but I used to be a keen rugby player when I was a lad. We did not stay away from the ruby pitch because it was cold, windy, wet and raining. We still played the game. I would...

My hon. Friend has got me there: because Alton Towers is secluded, lots of people drive there. There is a huge coach industry to get people there and there is a rail ticket to Alton Towers, although the nearest rail station is at Stoke City. I was once the Labour...

My hon. Friend has got me there: because Alton Towers is secluded, lots of people drive there. There is a huge coach industry to get people there and there is a rail ticket to Alton Towers, although the nearest rail station is at Stoke City. I was once the Labour...

I am grateful. I gather that in 2004, Nottinghamshire carried out a poll and there was strong support for the measure from the tourist industry there. I want to give a couple of examples of why it helps to have lighter evenings. Alton Towers in Staffordshire is probably the pre-eminent...

I am grateful. I gather that in 2004, Nottinghamshire carried out a poll and there was strong support for the measure from the tourist industry there. I want to give a couple of examples of why it helps to have lighter evenings. Alton Towers in Staffordshire is probably the pre-eminent...

I think that I have been clear all the way through not to over-claim. The number of casualties on the roads goes up on dark mornings; it is just that the number of casualties goes down far more if there is light at the end of the day. Overall, there...

I think that I have been clear all the way through not to over-claim. The number of casualties on the roads goes up on dark mornings; it is just that the number of casualties goes down far more if there is light at the end of the day. Overall, there...

Yes, the studies by TRL and ROSPA show that the group that would most benefit would be those aged between five and 15. I gave the statistics about pedestrians to the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr. MacNeil) because it is likely that quite a few of those...

Yes, the studies by TRL and ROSPA show that the group that would most benefit would be those aged between five and 15. I gave the statistics about pedestrians to the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr. MacNeil) because it is likely that quite a few of those...

Astonishingly, the answer to that is yes I can. I have the figures in the Chamber with me but, if the hon. Gentleman does not mind, I will carry on with my speech. I shall try to find the figures and if he speaks, I may intervene and provide him...

Astonishingly, the answer to that is yes I can. I have the figures in the Chamber with me but, if the hon. Gentleman does not mind, I will carry on with my speech. I shall try to find the figures and if he speaks, I may intervene and provide him...

I say two things in response to that. First, my hon. Friend says that he does not dispute the evidence, but then goes on to slight it by saying that there was a different experience in Portugal. Secondly, it is a shocking argument to suggest that 100 deaths here or...

I say two things in response to that. First, my hon. Friend says that he does not dispute the evidence, but then goes on to slight it by saying that there was a different experience in Portugal. Secondly, it is a shocking argument to suggest that 100 deaths here or...

There is actually a spike, which is normally in November and December, just after we have put the clocks back. When analysing the TRL research, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents found in 2004 that road deaths rise when the clocks go back in October. The figures for...

There is actually a spike, which is normally in November and December, just after we have put the clocks back. When analysing the TRL research, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents found in 2004 that road deaths rise when the clocks go back in October. The figures for...

The ROSPA findings are, as far as they can be, for across the country. There would also be savings in Scotland from adopting single/double summer time. The savings would be much smaller—not larger; I am not over-claiming—but they would be significant. That is why ROSPA, the Local Road Safety Officers...

The ROSPA findings are, as far as they can be, for across the country. There would also be savings in Scotland from adopting single/double summer time. The savings would be much smaller—not larger; I am not over-claiming—but they would be significant. That is why ROSPA, the Local Road Safety Officers...

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us about the incidence of casualties on the roads during that Portuguese experiment?

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us about the incidence of casualties on the roads during that Portuguese experiment?

Well, I have finished now, but I will take a last intervention.

Well, I have finished now, but I will take a last intervention.

I would answer my hon. Friend like this: the need to tackle climate change is urgent and if we are to deal with it we all need to make many changes in our daily lives, our businesses and our transportation. The Bill represents one such change—and it is a fairly...

I would answer my hon. Friend like this: the need to tackle climate change is urgent and if we are to deal with it we all need to make many changes in our daily lives, our businesses and our transportation. The Bill represents one such change—and it is a fairly...

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the Home Office pilot studies of face-to-face support for road crash victims.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the Home Office pilot studies of face-to-face support for road crash victims.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support services are available for road crash victims.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support services are available for road crash victims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues in the Home Office on the provision of face-to-face support for road crash victims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues in the Home Office on the provision of face-to-face support for road crash victims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on a whole route approach to road safety; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on a whole route approach to road safety; and if he will make a statement.

I just want to say that the new arrangements announced by the Government for next April are clearly superior to the arrangements in the Lords’ desire. They are superior because of the certainty about the money that local authorities will get; that will not be dependent on the speeding-fine income...

I just want to say that the new arrangements announced by the Government for next April are clearly superior to the arrangements in the Lords’ desire. They are superior because of the certainty about the money that local authorities will get; that will not be dependent on the speeding-fine income...

I am disappointed at not having secured debates on the amendments in my name on seat belt wearing and court presentation officers, but despite those minor disappointments, this is a good Bill. I am disappointed that my hon. Friend the Minister and I cannot see eye to eye about the...

I am disappointed at not having secured debates on the amendments in my name on seat belt wearing and court presentation officers, but despite those minor disappointments, this is a good Bill. I am disappointed that my hon. Friend the Minister and I cannot see eye to eye about the...

About three years ago, I chaired a conference for the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety—although I no longer chair the conference, I am still a member—on drug-driving. On the day, the big issue was the one that I raised in my intervention on the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr....

About three years ago, I chaired a conference for the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety—although I no longer chair the conference, I am still a member—on drug-driving. On the day, the big issue was the one that I raised in my intervention on the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr....

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on making his case so powerfully. There is a serious problem with people driving under the influence of drugs. There is an offence already of driving when ability is impaired by drink or drugs, and to date the main problem in enforcement has been the...

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on making his case so powerfully. There is a serious problem with people driving under the influence of drugs. There is an offence already of driving when ability is impaired by drink or drugs, and to date the main problem in enforcement has been the...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who echoes the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope). That cocktail effect is a particularly dangerous set of circumstances in putting people’s lives at risk on the road. When Parliament introduced a law against drinking and driving, it was resisted by some people...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who echoes the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope). That cocktail effect is a particularly dangerous set of circumstances in putting people’s lives at risk on the road. When Parliament introduced a law against drinking and driving, it was resisted by some people...

That is a false choice. There are several areas in which we must take action to keep the trend in road deaths going downwards. My point is that the trend in drink-driving deaths is not going downwards, unlike all the others. More therefore needs to be done in terms of...

That is a false choice. There are several areas in which we must take action to keep the trend in road deaths going downwards. My point is that the trend in drink-driving deaths is not going downwards, unlike all the others. More therefore needs to be done in terms of...

In the last nine years, we have changed the law in this place so that the Home Office can publish a national policing plan containing the overarching priorities for all police forces in the country. Do my hon. Friend’s discussions with Home Office Ministers include representations suggesting that the plan...

In the last nine years, we have changed the law in this place so that the Home Office can publish a national policing plan containing the overarching priorities for all police forces in the country. Do my hon. Friend’s discussions with Home Office Ministers include representations suggesting that the plan...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he plans to take to reduce the number of road traffic fatalities among young drivers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he plans to take to reduce the number of road traffic fatalities among young drivers.

I entirely adopt my hon. Friend’s comments about making it easier to get cycles into this place and making the streets around the building more accessible, and I would certainly like more Members than Ministers to have access to showers here if they cycle to work. In fairness to our...

I entirely adopt my hon. Friend’s comments about making it easier to get cycles into this place and making the streets around the building more accessible, and I would certainly like more Members than Ministers to have access to showers here if they cycle to work. In fairness to our...

Since 1997.

Since 1997.

I am happy to give way if my hon. Friend wants more details about the routes around the Stafford constituency.

I am happy to give way if my hon. Friend wants more details about the routes around the Stafford constituency.

I can give that confirmation. Looking along the rows of seats, the score in the category of Daves who support cycling is Labour 3, Tories 1. There is good support for cycling in Stafford, thanks in large part to the LA21 team at Stafford borough council, particularly the outstanding Karen...

I can give that confirmation. Looking along the rows of seats, the score in the category of Daves who support cycling is Labour 3, Tories 1. There is good support for cycling in Stafford, thanks in large part to the LA21 team at Stafford borough council, particularly the outstanding Karen...

I, too, congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, North and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz) both on obtaining the debate at a good time and on obtaining it at all, because it is important in its own right that we talk about improving cycling. My bicycle for many years has...

I, too, congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, North and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz) both on obtaining the debate at a good time and on obtaining it at all, because it is important in its own right that we talk about improving cycling. My bicycle for many years has...

Far be it from me to explain what is in the Secretary of State’s mind, but the report was ““rubbish”” because it was a PACTS report from six months ago rather than a Government proposal. It was about using technology to detect offences rather than using surveillance to watch people...

Far be it from me to explain what is in the Secretary of State’s mind, but the report was ““rubbish”” because it was a PACTS report from six months ago rather than a Government proposal. It was about using technology to detect offences rather than using surveillance to watch people...

The hon. Gentleman and I used to co-chair PACTS—I think he still does, but I do not—and I thank him for that constructive suggestion. He missed the speech of the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling), the Conservative spokesman, who has some hesitation about the new offence. The...

The hon. Gentleman and I used to co-chair PACTS—I think he still does, but I do not—and I thank him for that constructive suggestion. He missed the speech of the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling), the Conservative spokesman, who has some hesitation about the new offence. The...

Road safety is a policy area that has benefited immeasurably from cross-party consensus for many years. For decades, Labour and Conservative Governments have adopted the approach of long-term strategy tied to demanding targets for casualty reduction. Over that time, there has been great success in achieving those targets. It is...

Road safety is a policy area that has benefited immeasurably from cross-party consensus for many years. For decades, Labour and Conservative Governments have adopted the approach of long-term strategy tied to demanding targets for casualty reduction. Over that time, there has been great success in achieving those targets. It is...