Topical Questions

Question

I regularly hear from residents complaining about car exhaust noises. Despite recent announcements of trials for noise cameras in England and Wales, what engagement has my hon. Friend had with the Scottish Government to see what can be done in Scotland? Is there scope for expanding the pilot beyond just England and Wales?

Question

The road maintenance budget has been cut by £400 million last year and will face an additional 30% reduction by the end of this Parliament. Is there proof that the Government are asleep at the wheel while road users continue to suffer on roads not fit for purpose?

Question

Many constituents want secure jobs that do not contribute to wrecking the planet through sustainable aviation fuels. Will there be a price stability mechanism like a contract for difference to give industry certainty?

Question

Would it be possible for me, my hon. Friend the Member for North Tyneside and my hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Kate Osborne) to have a meeting with the appropriate Minister to take the Prime Minister's urgings forward?

Question

Wantage and Grove is set to have a population 59% larger in 2027 compared to ten years ago. Will my hon. Friend meet me so that we can discuss other avenues I might pursue to get the station reopened?

Question

An MOT centre has told me that it is fearful for its future after hearing of plans for MOTs to be required only every two years. The proposals are bad for motorists and local businesses, so will the Government think again?

Question

Even before the pandemic, rail services to and from Carshalton, Carshalton Beeches, Hackbridge and Wallington stations were congested and infrequent, but Govia Thameslink Railway is still operating a reduced timetable as people return to the railways. What discussions has my hon. Friend had with GTR to encourage it to get back to pre-pandemic levels and, indeed, fund the Croydon area remodelling scheme to put more trains on?

Question

On Saturday, along with over 100 others, I took part in Newcastle's Kidical mass cycle, and parents raised with me the challenges of getting kids to cycle to school and, related to that, the impact on air quality of cars idling outside schools. What are the Government doing to help children to learn to cycle, acquire cycles, and stop cars idling outside schools?

Question

The integrated rail plan will see huge amounts of money invested into the TransPennine rail route, with major upgrades at not only Huddersfield railway station but Slaithwaite and Marsden in my constituency. How will the Minister ensure, though, that the disruption that will be caused during these much-needed works will be kept to a minimum and that local communities will be fully engaged with and consulted about the scale of the works needed?

Question

The ministerial team will know that those of us who have been lifelong campaigners for road safety are extremely worried that in future our Government will accept lower standards of safety in car manufacture and design, and much else. Can the Minister assure me that we will not become the poor man of Europe in terms of safety and environmental standards?

Question

Like local authorities in so many other parts of the country, Worcestershire County Council was unsuccessful in its bid for Bus Back Better funds. Can the Minister assure me that the Department will give feedback to Worcestershire County Council so that next time it can bid back better?

Question

Earlier on, the Minister replied to the right hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) about safety in relation to P&O Ferries. The Minister will be aware of the occasion a month ago when a ferry between Northern Ireland and Scotland lost power in the Irish sea and was afloat for an hour and a half in one of the busiest places for boat and ship travel. Has he had any opportunity to talk to P&O Ferries to ensure that that dangerous situation, which could have led to an accident and loss of life, never happens again?

Question

Will my hon. Friend detail how remote rural constituencies like mine will benefit from improvements to local transport services when our sparse population means that so many transport solutions are not commercially viable?

Question

I am proud, on behalf of Rother Valley, to support Doncaster's bid to be the headquarters of Great British Railways. Doncaster is a great location that serves the whole of Rother Valley and the whole of South Yorkshire. Will the Minister look favourably on South Yorkshire's bid to be the home of Great British Railways?

Question

We have heard a lot today about the restoring your railway scheme, and I remind the House that it was launched by the Prime Minister at the Fleetwood to Poulton line. Can the Minister say where the scheme is at, what the next stage is and when that decision will be taken?

Question

The zero-emission vehicle mandate requires a smooth glide path in its transition towards the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel vehicles. Will my hon. Friend consider the impact that the smooth glide path has on smaller automotive manufacturers? Their commitment to achieve the 2030 ban is absolutely agreed, but the capacity to achieve the smooth glide path for those smaller manufacturers, such as Aston Martin, is much more difficult.

Question

Does the Minister agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Rother Valley (Alexander Stafford) and the wider community of Doncaster that Doncaster is the rightful home of the new Great British Railways headquarters?

Question

Will my hon. Friend join me in condemning the threatened strike action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers at Green Park and Euston on 3 June, when many people from across the country will be wanting to celebrate the Queen's jubilee?

Question

Can the Minister give an assurance that she will do all she can to ensure that these heritage railways have access to the necessary supplies?