Topical Questions

Question

I am concerned about my departmental responsibilities and would like a statement from you, Mr Shapps, outlining your commitments for the coming weeks.

Question

The government promised to commission research on the social and economic impact of introducing a graduated driving licence, but Baroness Vere told the Transport Committee that this work has been abandoned. Given 99 young drivers lost their lives in 2018 due to avoidable road crashes, what does this say about the Government's commitment?

Question

The M6 is crucial for food supply and business logistics. During the pandemic, my right hon. Friend has been working with Highways England and others to keep it operational. Could you provide an update?

Question

Rail operators have received substantial financial aid, including compensation for shareholder dividends. However, TfL workers in London face criticism from the Government. Why is there a disparity in support?

Question

The Prime Minister left City Hall with a £1.1 billion deficit, which Sadiq Khan reduced by 71%. Why does the government not match interventions for TfL as it did for rail franchises?

Question

France has over 80 PSO-backed domestic aviation routes connecting its regions, while the UK has only four. What consideration is being given to backing more domestic routes with PSOs?

Question

Millions from outside London use our transport system. Does it seem fair to impose a transport tax on pensioners in constituencies like Whitton and Hampton to support TfL?

Question

I ask my topical question, Mr Speaker. I have previously raised this issue twice in Parliament due to its significance for the south-west. The Government are committed to creating a high-quality route along the A303/A358 from the A3 to the M5. However, they have no plans to dual the alternative A303/A30 route between Ilminster and Honiton.

Question

Will the Secretary of State confirm whether as part of his Government's power grab from the devolved nations, plans are being developed to construct a 28-mile long tunnel and bridge adjacent to the UK's largest offshore arms dump, with over 1 million tonnes of munitions dumped at the bottom of the sea? Does he accept that such a power grab will end up blowing up in his and his Government's face?

Question

I have previously sent a letter highlighting the benefits of a freight terminal in Huncoat, which will support my businesses and attract new, and will really be a step towards levelling up Hyndburn and Haslingden. Will the Minister ensure that the Department considers this idea, and will she meet me to discuss it further?

Question

Under the cover of covid, the Department has been pushing councils to bypass normal procedures in order to rush in anti-car road-blocking measures. Two fine examples are on the dual carriageway in Smethwick, Tollhouse Way, and in London on the route to the M40 at Park Lane. These are creating traffic jams, longer journey times, and increasing pollution. When is the Secretary of State going to get a grip on this situation and get our roads moving again?

Question

For some time now, I have been pushing to get improvements to Eaglescliffe train station to improve disabled access, to get additional car parking and access from Durham Lane, and to hook it up with our incredible business park. Thanks to the Chancellor, the combined authority and Network Rail, we have the money and we are ready to roll, but patience is not a virtue that I possess. When can we get the shovels in the ground and get the thing going?

Question

Will the Secretary of State confirm, because it is an important matter of fact that he has so far not acknowledged this morning, that before coronavirus, Transport for London's debts had been reduced by 71% from the level the Mayor inherited from the Prime Minister, his predecessor? Will he also confirm that the Government's instruction to people in March to stay at home and not to use public transport resulted in a collapse of more than 90% of Transport for London's revenue? Will he stop playing politics with London's transport system and work with the Mayor of London to keep it going?

Question

HS2 Ltd likes to talk about being a good neighbour, but countless daily examples in my constituency, such as its heavy-handed possession of the Calvert Jubilee nature reserve or unannounced HGV movements through the village of Quainton, demonstrate that it is anything but a good neighbour. While I thank the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Andrew Stephenson), for his responsiveness to me on these matters, what steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that HS2 Ltd keeps to its commitments and that it faces real consequences if it does not?

Question

As the Minister knows, I am very keen on increasing the number of electric vehicles in my constituency. Will she agree to meet me and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles to consider the possibility of allowing the rapid charging fund to be utilised in towns such as Hitchin in my constituency as well as on the strategic road network?

Question

My constituents in the more rural parts of Coventry North West often have to contend with bus services that are late and routes that are routinely missed out, made worse by the fact that they have to contend with being unable to board buses due to a lack of capacity. I am proud of the fact that the bus drivers are doing all that they can to ensure that social distancing measures are in place. However, will the Government commit to increasing bus services so that my constituents who use them, many of whom are essential workers, can safely get from one place to another without worrying about being late or being unable to enter the bus?