To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the (a) terms of reference and (b) results of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling.

The information is as follows:

(a) The terms of reference for the advisory group are:

(i) the safety record of motorcyclists and to agree on measures to be taken to improve safety, including general road user behaviour and consideration of training and licensing arrangements;

(ii) the environmental impact of motorcycles and to agree what measures, if any, should be taken in light of the conclusions reached by the group; and

(iii) the role of powered two wheelers of all sorts in an integrated transport policy including the scope for traffic management measures that are beneficial to motorcyclists and contribute to that policy.

(b) The work of the advisory group is not yet finished. An XInterim Report of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling" was published in April 2001. Copies were placed in the Libraries of the House. The advisory group has still to complete some key work streams, including safety research, congestion research and environmental assessment. Some of this will only conclude during 2004. It will be at that stage that the Government will be able to reach conclusions on the work of the advisory group.