Topical Questions 2021-04-29
2021-04-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
The House is interested in the updates with regard to travel returning internationally over the coming months.
We have been working with private laboratories, pharmacies, supermarkets and other companies to encourage them to deliver on their logistical expertise, enter the market and drive down the costs. The cost of a single PCR day-two test from one of the large providers on the Government link site has now come down to £60 and a new entrant at £44.90 is now enabling more people to access PCR tests as international travel returns.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The strategic outline business case for the redevelopment of Chester station has a highly positive cost-benefit ratio and is being proposed as a priority project.
Can the Secretary of State confirm when Chester station will be included in the rail network enhancement programme and when further development funding will be allocated?
We are continuing to work closely with Cheshire West and Chester Council on its preparation of the strategic outline business case for enhancements at and around Chester station. DFT officials undertook a detailed review of the requested further information for the SOBC, which is being considered for inclusion in RNEP.
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Assessment & feedback
Timelines or specific dates were not provided.
Under Consideration
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The active travel grant funding was used by the Southampton Labour-run council to halve road capacity on main arterial routes, causing congestion and worsening air quality.
Did the active travel funding provided to local authorities come with directions on how it should be used, and is the decision to implement schemes the responsibility of the local authority?
The Department for Transport has made it clear that local authorities must focus on scheme quality, demonstrating appropriate consultation and consideration of access for emergency vehicles. The decision to implement schemes lies with the local authority.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The review into smart motorways revealed a significant increase in fatalities over the last five years.
Will the Secretary of State publish specific data comparing deaths on hard shoulder lanes of existing motorways with those used as live running lanes?
The Office of Rail and Road has been asked to analyse the data, and when these figures are provided we can compare them to make sure we produce the safest possible roads in the world. From 2015 to 2019 there were 39 fatalities on smart motorways but also 368 fatalities on regular motorways.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific data was not immediately promised.
Analyse The Data
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The importance of regional airports for providing well-paid jobs in the regions is acknowledged.
Will the Government do more than standard schemes on business rates and furlough support to ensure that our regional airports not only survive but can thrive in the future?
The Government has put £7 billion into protecting and supporting our aviation sector. The current policy is to quarantine all traffic, which would do further damage to regional airports if followed.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific new measures were not promised beyond existing ones.
Quarantine All Traffic
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
North Devon is the site of a new e-scooter trial. Public confusion about legal status exists.
I am delighted that North Devon is soon to become home to the first rural e-scooter trial. However, what steps is the Department taking to inform the public that e-scooters, already seen in so many public spaces, are not legally permitted unless part of the trial?
I thank my hon. Friend for her support for this innovative form of transport technology. Trials of rental e-scooters began last July and have been a huge success: over 2 million trips have been taken and 5 million km ridden—the equivalent of six times to the moon and back. But the Department has written to all major retailers of e-scooters in the UK to ask them to make it clear to customers that it is illegal to use e-scooters on public roads. Retailers make this clear online and in their stores, and motoring offences will apply to the private use of e-scooters. The local police are fully engaged and have enforcement powers, and they are expected to use them.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The national infrastructure bank will be based in Leeds. HS2 eastern leg phase 2b has been proposed.
Given that the national infrastructure bank will be based in Leeds, would it not be highly symbolic to start building phase 2b of the eastern leg of HS2 from Leeds southwards? The Secretary of State was quoted recently as saying that he is looking at bringing forward the start date. Would he consider that idea?
I actually agree with the right hon. Gentleman; it probably would have been sensible to start the entire project from the north to the south in the first place, but having looked at this in great detail, not least through the Oakervee review, I also know that chopping and changing those plans partway through is the most expensive possible outcome and does not work out. None the less, we are committed to ensuring that the integrated rail plan answers all these questions, and his point has been clearly heard.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not directly address starting HS2 from Leeds but acknowledged the review's findings and promised future consideration in the integrated rail plan.
Chopping And Changing Plans
Costly Outcome
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Felixstowe port handles nearly half of UK container freight. Rail links to the Midlands and North are being improved.
The Secretary of State will be aware that almost 50% of UK container freight goes through Felixstowe port, and he will be aware of the importance of improving rail links from that port to the midlands and the north. Can I get his reassurance that the Felixstowe to Nuneaton freight rail link is a priority for this Government and will be delivered on time?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of freight links in our country. Since 2009, more than £200 million has been invested in capacity on the Felixstowe to Nuneaton freight corridor. Through the rail network enhancements pipeline, Network Rail is developing business cases for enhancements at Ely, Hockley and between Ely and Soham to provide additional capacity on this key freight corridor.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not commit specifically to timely delivery but highlighted ongoing investment and development efforts.
Ongoing Investment
Capacity Enhancements
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent of the MP required to quarantine at Heathrow due to medical travel was accommodated inadequately.
Constituents of mine who had travelled for essential medical treatment for their disabled children were required to quarantine at Heathrow in a hotel room that was completely inadequate for their needs. What consideration is being given to the needs of disabled people and those with medical needs in the hotel quarantine scheme?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right to stand up for her constituents, particularly those who may have special circumstances. There is a process in place for special circumstances to be considered. I would be interested to understand why in the case of her constituent, from her question, it does not look like that was effective. We would be very happy to investigate that particular case, although I understand that would of course be retrospective.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary did not explicitly commit to better accommodations but indicated willingness to investigate individual cases retrospectively.
Investigate Particular Case
Special Circumstances Process
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Flexible working arrangements necessitate a review of current rail ticketing structures.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Representing a constituency in a county that has a large number of commuters to London, the future of flexible rail ticketing is an issue to which many are paying close attention. With the reality of more people enjoying hybrid working arrangements in the future, we need to ensure that is reflected in the structure of rail tickets. Therefore, can the Secretary of State confirm when the Department will be in a position to set out what rail ticketing will look like for passengers in my constituency and across the south-east, and provide an assurance that the new fares will offer genuine flexibility where it is needed?
May I say on behalf of everybody how fantastic it is to see my hon. Friend back in the House in her rightful place? She is absolutely right about the changes in how people will commute going forward, because the world has of course changed. I am sure that people will come back to the railway, but perhaps in a more flexible way, and I can reassure her that we will be setting out more details of our view about how ticketing should work, not least through the Williams-Shapps review.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide a specific timeline but acknowledged changes in commuting patterns and promised to set out future plans.
Changes In Commuting
Williams-Shapps Review
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Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The government's sixth carbon budget included aviation emissions for the first time.
Last week, the Government's sixth carbon budget included aviation emissions for the first time—a welcome step. Can the Secretary of State explain how the Government think they can hit their net zero target without updating the airports national policy statement? Will he finally commit to scrapping Tory plans for a third runway at Heathrow, if he is serious about tackling the climate emergency?
The hon. Lady will know that the whole House voted for the Heathrow plans, as she stated, but we will shortly be bringing forward our transport decarbonisation plans, which will discuss in full and in detail our ambitious plans to decarbonise the entire transport sector, including the aviation sector. She is right to say that we have increased our ambition on this front, and we are the only major leading nation that will set out such an ambitious set of plans to decarbonise the entire sector.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State avoided commitment to scrapping Heathrow third runway but promised transport decarbonisation plans.
Whole House Vote
Transport Decarbonisation
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The government announced a £3 billion national bus strategy. Residents have submitted improvement suggestions.
Hello from Lancashire, Mr Speaker. In South Ribble, there is quite a lot of interest in the Government's recently announced £3 billion national bus strategy. Speaking to residents, many improvement suggestions have already been received. Joanne, for example, wants a west-east bus between Tarleton, the Hooles, Longton and getting into Leyland. Can my right hon. Friend share how he plans to ensure that the communities' voices are heard during the planning of this strategy so that their needs are in the mix, and it is not just the ideas from the men in grey suits and the established industry?
I note your remark, Mr Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend for her point. I am not a man in a grey suit, so I can reassure her fully, and I thank her for the massively constructive way she has engaged with the national bus strategy since its launch. The way she has stood up for her constituents is absolutely exemplary, and I know from the discussions that she and I have had how important that is. By October, local transport authorities are expected to provide bus service improvement plans, which should be developed in collaboration with local people to ensure that they genuinely reflect the area's needs.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not specify community engagement mechanisms but referenced future bus service improvement plans and ongoing discussions.
Local Transport Authorities
Discussions
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Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about reduced rail services in West Lancashire compared to larger northern cities.
Many of my constituents are concerned that each of the three rail timetabling options put forward by the Manchester recovery taskforce means reduced connectivity between West Lancs and Manchester. Will the Secretary of State assure my constituents that they are not the poor relations of the larger northern cities, and will he intervene to ensure that the supposed levelling-up of services in the north does not leave areas such as West Lancs behind?
Yes, I have been working with Transport for the North in consultation to sort out the bottleneck around Castlefield corridor impacting northern rail services. The hon. Lady's representations will be carefully considered, and the rail Minister would gladly meet her to discuss further.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific assurances for West Lancashire or concrete plans for service improvements.
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Suspension of direct all-day high-speed rail services to Martin Mill, Deal and Sandwich.
When direct all-day high-speed services to Martin Mill, Deal and Sandwich were suspended, I received written assurances that they would be fully restored after lockdown. Can my hon. Friend confirm that it remains the intention to fully restore the high-speed services to Deal, Sandwich and the villages as soon as possible?
Morning and evening peak services are currently operating. Passenger volumes are monitored continually, and all-day service provision will be reviewed based on passenger demand as lockdown restrictions ease.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide a specific timeline for restoring full services.
Response accuracy
Q15
Direct Answer
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Context
Consultation considering the removal of direct link between Sheffield and Manchester airport.
The Secretary of State will know that the consultation on Manchester's rail services is considering the removal of the direct link between Sheffield and Manchester airport. Our chamber of commerce is deeply concerned about damage to local business, jobs, and international student recruitment due to lost revenue. Does he recognise these concerns, and will he meet me and other local Members to discuss the issue?
Yes, I recognise those concerns. There is a congestion problem around Manchester that needs resolution. A special meeting will be held after the elections by the Northern Transport Acceleration Council to work with the Manchester recovery taskforce on resolving this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Research on the level of funding needed to meet cycling and walking targets not published.
Between January and June last year, the Minister stated three times that his Department would publish its research on the level of funding needed for doubling cycling and increasing walking by 2025. Will he now publish this missing research or is breaking his promise because it confirms insufficient funding?
We have invested £2 billion in walking and cycling, the largest sum ever. Last year was heavily impacted by coronavirus but a new cycling strategy was published with support from the Prime Minister. We will say more about this soon.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific commitment to publish research or confirm funding adequacy.
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns over East West Rail project being diesel rather than electrified.
As chair of the all-party parliamentary environment group, I support phasing out diesel trains by 2040. My constituents are worried about a new diesel railway line from East West Rail's soon-to-be completed route in my constituency due by 2030. Will my right hon Friend or his colleague Rachel Maclean work with me and the Treasury to align East West Rail with phasing out diesel trains?
East West Rail aims to deliver an entirely zero-carbon railway, considering conventional and emerging technology solutions for powering trains in the future.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide a specific commitment or timeline regarding diesel phase-out for East West Rail.
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Support and strategy for Northern Ireland regional airports during a difficult year.
Airlines have had a tough past year. Can the Minister confirm Government support for Belfast City airport, Belfast International airport, and Londonderry airport, which are important Northern Ireland regional airports, and ensure they will be part of UK's future strategy?
I confirmed public service obligations were put in place during the crisis last year. Connectivity across the Union will always be a priority.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific commitments for future support or strategy inclusion.
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
Cutting-edge maritime projects in Anglesey necessitate improved transport infrastructure.
To take full advantage of maritime projects such as Holyhead hydrogen hub and proposed Anglesey freeport, excellent transport infrastructure is needed across north Wales. Will the Minister confirm support for necessary A55 improvements highlighted in Sir Peter Hendy's Union connectivity review?
My hon. Friend champions connectivity for her constituency well. The Transport Secretary was in north Wales discussing plans with the Welsh Conservative candidate for election, and we look forward to reviewing final recommendations of the Union connectivity review ahead of spending review.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific commitment or timeline regarding A55 improvements based on review recommendations.
Response accuracy