Topical Questions 2020-01-30

2020-01-30

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Grahame Morris Lab
Easington
Context
In preparation for the handover of rail services to public control, Grahame Morris asks about addressing current capacity issues on the Durham Coast line in his constituency.
Grahame Morris wishes the Secretary of State a happy rail nationalisation day and thanks him for details sent via letter. He enquires whether the Department will address capacity issues such as overcrowding trains with only two carriages, particularly on the Durham Coast line through his constituency, indicating that Northern Rail does not have sufficient rolling stock.
Chris Heaton-Harris thanks Grahame Morris for his question. There is a large amount of new rolling stock being introduced on the Northern network which will remove Pacers by May end. He expresses willingness to meet Grahame Morris to discuss these issues further.
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Q2 Direct Answer
Bob Seely Con
Isle of Wight
Context
The MP raises concerns about the negative impacts of building low-density housing on greenfield sites.
I welcome the fresh new approach of this Front-Bench team. Given the importance of sustainable transport and sustainable housing, do Ministers agree that building low-density housing on greenfield sites is bad for sustainable transport, bad for sustainable housing and bad for our environment, because it is so car-dependent, which is why so many of our constituents object?
I commend my hon. Friend on that point and his “Island Manifesto”, in which he makes that point. We are working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that we move the dial on much better integration of cycling, walking and public transport in new housing.
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Q3 Direct Answer
Daisy Cooper LD
West Yorkshire
Context
The MP raises concerns about the delay in conducting a post-implementation review of airspace redesign changes.
Many of my constituents have been affected by the redesign of airspace, as many live below the flightpaths in and out of London Luton airport. The Civil Aviation Authority promised a post-implementation review of the changes, and the review of one such route is now overdue by more than two years. What assessment has the Minister made of whether the Civil Aviation Authority is fit for purpose and adequately resourced, and will he meet me and St Albans campaigners to discuss residents' concerns?
I met the hon. Lady's predecessor, Anne Main, and local constituents just before the election. I am well aware that the PIR is overdue and I am very keen for the CAA to get on with it. I am happy to meet her.
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Q4 Direct Answer
Context
The MP raises concerns about the removal of a proposed Tilbury junction in Highways England's plans for the lower Thames crossing.
Yesterday, Highways England published the latest plans for the proposed lower Thames crossing. In that set of plans, the proposal for a Tilbury junction, which would divert HGVs from my constituency road network, has been removed. Does the Minister agree that, if we are going to get a road that the community does not want, it is incumbent on Highways England to ensure that it works for us?
My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. I would be delighted to meet her and the roads Minister, Baroness Vere, who is in the Gallery.
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Q5 Direct Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
City of London and Westminster
Context
The MP raises concerns about the delay in legislating for reform of the taxi and private hire industry as recommended by an all-party parliamentary group.
Given that nearly three years have passed since the all-party parliamentary group on taxis laid out the case for reform of legislation governing the taxi and private hire industry, and a year has passed since the Government accepted that case, when can we finally expect them to legislate for the reform we need?
I know that the hon. Member has been working incredibly hard, along with members of the Transport Committee. We put together a task and finish group to ensure that taxi services up and down the country are far more equal in their service, while providing security and safety for passengers. We will be issuing statutory taxi and private hire standards shortly. Having had many conversations with the hon. Member, I think he can be quite confident that most of the issues raised will be addressed.
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Q6 Direct Answer
Suzanne Webb Con
Stourbridge
Context
The MP raises concerns about the progress and funding for extending the west midlands metro line to her constituency.
Owing to the hard work of Andy Street and this Government, work is well under way to bring the west midlands metro line to the black country. How can the Government further help to extend that line to the jewel in the crown of the urban west midlands, which so happens to be my constituency?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question. She is obviously going to be a doughty campaigner for Stourbridge. This Government have worked to make sure that progress continues. We have devolved £321.5 million to the excellent Mayor, Andy Street, in the West Midlands Combined Authority, as part of the £2.5 billion transforming cities fund, of which £207 million has been allocated to fund this extension.
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Q7 Direct Answer
Layla Moran LD
Central
Context
The MP raises concerns about potential delays in safety and infrastructure improvements along the A34 due to work on the Oxford to Cambridge expressway.
I of course welcome any review of the Oxford to Cambridge expressway, but my constituents are worried that it is going to lead to more delays to improvements on the A34, in particular safety improvements and work on the Lodge Hill junction, which I understand is further delayed. Can the Minister reassure my constituents that there is no way any dither and delay on the Oxford to Cambridge expressway will affect improvements to the A34?
Assessment & feedback
Minister did not provide specific reassurance or additional context beyond a one-word response.
Short Response
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Q8 Direct Answer
James Grundy Lab
West Derby
Context
The MP requests a meeting with the Minister regarding plans for restoring Leigh station to the national rail network.
Many of my constituents have been waiting for decades to be reconnected to the Liverpool-Manchester line. Will the Minister meet me to discuss restoring Leigh to the national rail network?
Assessment & feedback
Minister did not provide additional context beyond a one-word response.
Short Response
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Abena Oppong-Asare Lab
Erith and Thamesmead
Context
The MP raises concerns about the adequacy of Southeastern services and asks when TfL will take over the franchise.
My residents in Erith and Thamesmead deserve decent transport. I share the concerns raised by neighbouring colleagues, my hon. Friends the Members for Eltham (Clive Efford) and for Greenwich and Woolwich (Matthew Pennycook), about the adequacy of Southeastern services, and I also welcome the earlier answer from the Minister of State, Department for Transport, the hon. Member for Daventry (Chris Heaton-Harris). However, what my constituents want to know is when TfL will take over the franchise to start delivering decent services. When is that date, Mr Minister?
I hate to disappoint the hon. Lady in her first Transport questions, but a whole bunch of conversations need to take place first, including the working up of a detailed business plan. We are working with TfL on these matters—there is no blockage in the system—but these things do take time. I am afraid that I have to disappoint the hon. Lady and not give her a date at this point.
Assessment & feedback
Disappointment
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
Bim Afolami Con
Hertsmere
Context
The MP seeks advice on how to progress plans for improving accessibility to Hitchin station in his constituency.
I have been working with Hertfordshire County Council on plans to improve accessibility to Hitchin station in my constituency. Will the Minister advise me on how best to work with Network Rail and the Department to progress this? We think it will cost £3 million to £4 million.
My hon. Friend is probably one of the busiest correspondents with my Department. I will happily meet him—again—to talk about this matter, because it is of vital importance.
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Q11 Direct Answer
Wera Hobhouse LD
St Austell and Newquay
Context
The MP raises concerns about the potential destruction of ancient woodlands during HS2 construction.
Our ancient woodlands and veteran trees, such as in Prior park in my constituency of Bath, are irreplaceable habitats and areas of beauty. What efforts are being made to avoid the destruction of ancient woodlands and chalk streams in the construction of HS2?
As the hon. Member will know, we paused any clearance of ancient woodlands during the course of the Oakervee review, and that remains the case. I regularly meet the Woodland Trust—its arboricultural expertise will always far exceed mine—and I listen to it very carefully.
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Q12 Direct Answer
Richard Fuller Con
Stansted Mountfitchet
Context
The Secretary of State has recently announced a preferred route for East West Rail that could impact housing growth in the east.
Following his announcement, will the Department consider looking at realigning the A1 to ensure better integration with housing and rail infrastructure?
My hon. Friend has been active in making representations on this issue, which we hear loud and clear. Following the announcement, I look forward to talking to him, to councils, and to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, about the proper integration of housing, rail, and the A1 junction.
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Q13 Direct Answer
Ian Mearns Lab
Blyth Valley
Context
The Secretary of State did not make a statement about taking back Northern Rail into public ownership despite its significant impact.
Why was there no statement on the matter, and when can we expect significant new investment in infrastructure for the north?
I was trying to get an agreement from those who manage the business on Opposition Benches for me to make an oral statement during yesterday's Opposition day debate. That is why there was no oral statement—I wanted to make one, but I did not get a response, and that is why I was unable to. Investment will now flow through from the decision made yesterday, and through the operator of last resort.
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Q14 Direct Answer
Stephen Crabb Con
Beaconsfield
Context
The card is set to be rolled out in England but concerns about its applicability across the UK.
Will the Minister ensure that the veterans rail card, due for rollout later this year in England, will also apply in Wales, Scotland and elsewhere?
I am writing to the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly to ensure that that card is rolled out across the whole of our country.
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Q15 Direct Answer
Emma Lewell-Buck Lab
South Shields
Context
A constituent was injured by an uninsured mobility scooter driver, leading to no legal action being taken.
What measures will the Secretary of State take to address such situations where injuries occur due to uninsured mobility scooters?
As part of the regulatory review of future mobility and mobility scooters, I would be delighted to meet the hon. Lady to ensure that the issues involved in that case are properly addressed.
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