Topical Questions 2024-02-08
2024-02-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State is questioned about his department's recent initiatives.
I am pleased to hear about the Secretary of State's plans, but does he have a plan to deal with some of the apparent traffic jams in responding to consultations on private Members' legislation in his Department? In 2020, the consultation on pavement parking closed. Pavement parking causes huge problems for guide dogs, wheelchair users and everybody else. When will we have a response to that? On the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, introduced by my right hon. Friend the Member for East Yorkshire (Sir Greg Knight), when will we see the plans to cut down on cowboy parking enforcement companies? When will that traffic jam be eased?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising those issues. We will come out with a response on pavement parking very shortly. I cannot give him a specific date. On roadworks generally, we will consult on plans to improve the measures that stop utility companies causing roadworks to overrun, putting more pressure on them to ensure that our roads can keep moving, to support drivers.
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Assessment & feedback
I Cannot Give Him A Specific Date
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The question pertains to the performance of rail operators and the consequences for taxpayers.
What does the Secretary of State think that it says about the performance standards in the contracts that he signed with failing operators that senior executives at Avanti, whose cancellations now run at 17%, could boast about the “free money” from the taxpayer that is 'too good to be true'?
Two things: first, Avanti does not have any money under the performance regime, because it has not delivered appropriate enough quality, demonstrating that we pay only for good performance. On the specific issue that the hon. Lady raises, the Rail Minister and I raised that with Avanti. Senior executives at FirstGroup agreed with us that those comments were appalling, and they are taking steps to deal with that issue within the company.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the failure of Govia Thameslink to meet performance measures last year.
They were disgraceful comments from Avanti, but the problem goes to the contracts that the Secretary of State is signing with such failing operators. Last year, Govia Thameslink failed on every single performance measure at its stations, but rather than enforcing the standards in the contract and demanding better, he lowered them so that Govia would still potentially receive its bonus and performance fee, at a potential cost of millions to the taxpayer. Is that not the perfect symbol of the Conservatives' broken rail network: failure rewarded, and passengers and taxpayers paying the price?
It absolutely is not. The hon. Lady referred to Avanti West Coast, I gave her the answer to the question on Avanti and then she just repeated something that simply was not the case. According to the service quality regime under which Avanti West Coast operates, it has not received any payments, because it has not been hitting the quality targets—[Interruption.] If she would listen to my answer, Avanti has not hit the quality targets, so that is exactly the performance regime working.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific issue of lowering performance measures for Govia Thameslink
Repeated Something That Simply Was Not The Case
If She Would Listen To My Answer
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The question concerns updates on the upgrade of the energy coast line for rail.
The Cumbrian Coast railway is vital to the energy coast, for both passengers and freight. I welcome the extra funding and services that Network North will bring, but could the Rail Minister update me on the latest progress?
I would be delighted to update my hon. Friend. She will know that the upgrade of the energy coast line was one of the commitments in the Network North document. The Department is now working closely with Network Rail and local stakeholders to revisit the scope of the interventions, which were presented in the 2022 outline business case, and we expect that work to conclude later this year.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is about the support of a key regional infrastructure project in Midlothian.
The A701 relief road realignment is a key regional infrastructure project with knock-on national benefits, not to mention the major improvements it would make in Midlothian. So-called levelling up round 3 did not even allow the project to bid for funding, and I know that the leader of Midlothian Council and the leaders of all the councils in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland city region deal have written to the Levelling Up Secretary to express their disappointment. Will this Secretary of State add his voice to theirs in calling for that critical infrastructure to be supported?
The hon. Gentleman will know that the primary responsibility for delivering road transport in Scotland is the responsibility of the SNP Government, because it is devolved. I am pleased that he has welcomed the levelling-up bids that have been delivered in Scotland—this Government delivering for the people of Scotland where his Government have failed. On the specific issue he raises, I will of course draw his remarks to the attention of the Secretary of State.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific issue of supporting A701 relief road project in Midlothian
The Primary Responsibility For Delivering Road Transport In Scotland Is The Responsibility Of The Snp Government, Because It Is Devolved
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The question involves Fraserburgh-based Gray & Adams and their role in the design of regulations.
Fraserburgh-based Gray & Adams is the UK's pre-eminent manufacturer of refrigerated trailers—I am told they were involved in the design of regulations in the early days of refrigerated transport. Will the Minister meet me and Gray & Adams's management and engineers to see what can be done to ensure that regulations are updated at a pace that keeps up with the ongoing innovations made by that great example of British manufacturing?
My hon. Friend has been a fantastic champion for Fraserburgh and for that business in particular. I know very well the issue in respect of longer semi-trailers and compliance with the regulations. I would be delighted to meet him and the company, and I assure both the company and the wider industry that we are working to find a way forward on this question, because it matters and we want to support that business.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The King's health is a concern for constituents.
His Majesty the King is well known and much loved in my constituency. Flights in and out of Wick John O'Groats airport are crucial to the economic development of the far north. Do the Government agree that the sustainability of transport links, particularly air links, between Scottish airports and the rest of the UK are very important?
Indeed; aviation is important for economic development across the entirety of the UK, including links between Scotland and England. However, the public service obligations for Wick John O'Groats airport lie entirely within Scotland and are a matter for the Scottish Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address importance of sustainable transport links specifically
Deflection To Scottish Government
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Roads Minister had a meeting with the Member about A180 resurfacing.
Will he be the one who can deliver on promises of resurfacing the A180 and removing its concrete surface?
I sincerely hope so.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide any concrete commitment to resurfacing
Vague Response
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Avanti's train service has recently faced cancellations and punctuality issues.
Does the Secretary of State now regret his premature decision to extend the contract for Avanti's west coast main line?
The decision to extend the Avanti contract was taken because its performance had improved dramatically. At that time, its self-induced cancellation rates were at 1.5%, down from 13%. Avanti is in the process of hiring 70 drivers per year.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address regret over contract extension directly
Hedging
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Proposed west London orbital network could relieve pressure on the underground.
Has my hon. Friend had a look at the proposal, and will he give it the green light?
We have had a presentation on the plan, and I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend to update him. It is a matter of interest, and I like to see such proposals brought forward—although, of course, we have to balance them with ensuring that the taxpayer is not at extra risk.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to supporting the proposal
Hedging
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The A47 dualling at Blofield was ready to go but is now bogged down in legal challenges.
Will the Department be right behind that much-needed dualling scheme?
The Government are utterly committed to the A47. The court case is also linked to the A57. We are passionately committed to both roads. We await the judgment, which we believe will come within the next month or so.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide commitment post-legal challenges
Hedging
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
A Universal Studios theme park could bring economic prosperity and jobs to the eastern region.
Will the Government commit to supporting that exciting project by funding substantial road improvements?
I am familiar with that scheme and know that the Chancellor has been involved. The Government will look carefully at proposals and want to ensure that exciting proposals come to fruition.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific funding or road improvements
Hedging
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Litter on central reservations and grass verges is a concern.
Will the Minister update the House on measures to reduce litter and debris blighting highways?
My hon. Friend is right to raise that point. It is absolutely vital that people stop throwing litter, and National Highways is committed on this matter, giving evidence about dozens of people clearing up the litter every day.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific measures beyond public responsibility
Deflection
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents in Twickenham suffer from noise complaints and health impacts due to Heathrow's operations.
Will the Secretary of State finally commit to banning night flights between 11 pm and 6 am?
On noise, it is important to strike a balance. We will shortly publish consultation results on night flights, and the hon. Member should wait for it.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to banning night flights
Deflection
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
Vehicles parked on pavements continue to impact disabled people.
When will the Government bring forward a plan to ban pavement parking?
The hon. Lady understands that there are already provisions permitting action by local authorities. We intend to publish the Government review very shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to banning pavement parking specifically
Hedging
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety reported an increase in accidents involving e-scooters, highlighting the danger to constituents and a lack of police follow-up.
Has the ministerial team seen the report on the growing number of accidents involving e-scooters? Not only are e-scooters dangerous, there is a lack of police follow-up when accidents happen.
The use of private e-scooters on public land—on roads and pavements—is illegal in the UK, and it is up to the police to enforce that law. We have 23 different legal trials of rental e-scooters around the country. We recently announced the extension of those trials, and we are using that data to learn more about the dangers or otherwise of e-scooters, which will inform the policy for the future regulation of e-scooters.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask regarding looking at the report was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
The Mayor of London froze fares for five out of the eight years he has been in office, keeping them 14% below national increases. This contrasts with a previous statement by the Secretary of State.
Given that the Mayor of London froze fares despite spending time raising taxes on motorists, should it be expected that a Conservative Mayor would increase fares if elected?
No. What I find surprising is that the London Mayor spends an awful lot of time pretending that he does not have any money, so he puts up taxes on hard-working motorists in outer London, and then just before an election, he finds a secret war chest that enables him to do popular things.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about fare freezes was entirely avoided.
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Ministers have previously answered questions related to accessibility and equality for disabled people.
Regarding accessibility for disabled passengers, considering the principles of equality, has consideration been given to ensuring that taxi firms have an obligation to provide vehicles for disabled people in every shift pattern?
It is always good to have the hon. Gentleman winding up proceedings. I will take away that point and have a very detailed look at it, and get officials to give me a detailed answer that I will provide in writing.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about considering an obligation was not directly addressed; process of review mentioned instead.
Response accuracy