The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the estimated value is of his Department’s shareholding in NATS Holdings.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The most recent valuation in the Department for Transport’s accounts is £425m.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has made to Volkswagen on establishing a compensation scheme for vehicle owners in the UK affected by that company’s use of defeat devices.
Andrew Jones
The Government expects Volkswagen to treat its UK customers fairly and adequately address their concerns. We continue to press Volkswagen on the issue of compensation for UK consumers and the Secretary of State has summoned the Managing Director of VW UK to a further meeting this week to discuss the issue.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help provide (a) compensation from VW Group for drivers and (b) partial or full reimbursement for retesting cars under the Vehicle Emissions Testing Programme.
Andrew Jones
We continue to press Volkswagen on the issue of compensation for UK consumers. The Secretary of State summoned the Managing Director of VW UK to a further meeting this week to discuss the issue.
We undertook the Vehicle Emissions Testing Programme to check for further test cycle manipulation strategies as used by the Volkswagen Group. To ensure the independence of this important programme neither the vehicles nor the testing facilities were provided by the vehicle industry, and the department funded the testing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Assembly on increasing connectivity with Northern Ireland through expansion of Heathrow.
Mr Robert Goodwill
There have been no recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Assembly on increasing connectivity with Northern Ireland through expansion of Heathrow.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for (a) Highways England to make a decision on the location of the new Lower Thames Crossing and (b) construction to begin on the new Lower Thames Crossing; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
The public consultation closed on 24 March 2016 and the responses are currently being analysed. It is expected that a decision on the location and route will be made later this year following Highways England’s recommendation to the Department for Transport.
Subject to funding and planning approvals, we anticipate construction to start in 2020/2021.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Prisk on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons the exemption for the railway sector from the provisions of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 has been extended until October 2016.
Claire Perry
Last year we consulted on an exemption from certain provisions of the Consumer Rights Act for rail, aviation and maritime transport. We have listened to the views we have received, and have decided not to seek a permanent exemption for these sectors.
The temporary exemption for rail only, which will last for one year until October 2017, will allow the industry time to move to a more consistent compensation scheme.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for proposals for a tunnel on the A303 near Stonehenge of the UNESCO Advisory Mission to Stonehenge October 2015 Report.
Andrew Jones
A report from the cultural heritage advisors to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee completed in October 2015 recognised the on-going and constructive engagement that is taking place between the Department of Transport, Highways England, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Historic England, English Heritage, National Trust and Wiltshire County Council.
The Department for Transport also shares the report’s view that the design and location of a road improvement for this section of the A303 needs to be carefully considered in order to protect and enhance the World Heritage Site.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answers of 14 April 2016 to Questions 32741 and 32742, what grounds are given in the Cabinet Office guidance referred to for undertaking (a) business engagement assessments and (b) impact assessments; and what weight was given to those grounds in the decision not to undertake either such assessment for the (i) programme and (ii) proposals referred to.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The statement below is extracted from the Cabinet Office guidance:-
‘Any proposed change in policy, process or practice by a regulator which does not require a full Impact Assessment, but which creates a significant increase or decrease in the burden of regulator activity on business should trigger an Assessment.’
The proposals contained in the consultation document do not propose a significant change to the point of service delivery of regulated services to the end user, for example vessels in ports around the United Kingdom or globally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Ansell on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has formally accepted the recommendations made by the Airports Commission in its report published in July 2015 on night flights and the ruling out of a fourth runway at Heathrow Airport; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Robert Goodwill
A number of important decisions on airport capacity were taken by the Government in December, including to accept the case for expansion in the South-East. However, we must take the time to get the decision right on a preferred scheme. The Government is further considering the environmental impacts and the best possible measures to mitigate the impacts of expansion. We anticipate this work will conclude by summer 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what regulations address the criminal use of drones; and what plans the Government has to bring forward further regulations related to such activity.
Mr Robert Goodwill
There are a range of laws in place to regulate the use of drones, prevent criminal use, and enable enforcement action to be taken when needed.
The Air Navigation Order 2009 (ANO) regulates the use of all aircraft, including drones, and provides for a range of offences to guard against criminal use. For example the offences of endangering the safety of an aircraft, and endangering the safety of any person or property, apply to the users of all drones. There are also offences specific to users of small drones, and those using drones for aerial works. Please see at the end of the answer below for a list of these provisions.
The Civil Aviation (Insurance) Regulations 2005 deal with insurance requirements for drones, and contain offences to enforce these.
Offences relating to personal data are provided for in the Data Protection Act 1998.
Other legislation which is not aviation or transport specific may also be relevant to addressing criminal use of drones.
On future regulation, a proposed new EU Regulation on aviation safety is currently being negotiated with the European Aviation Safety Agency and other EU Member States. This will apply to all drones.
While the Government considers that there are comprehensive rules in place to guard against criminal use of drones, we continue to keep under careful review whether there is any need for further legislation in this area.
Provisions in ANO which are enforced by offences listed in Schedule 13 ANO
a) Relevant to all drones:
b) Relevant to drones above 20kg (those over 150kg have additional requirements to meet):
c) Relevant to drones up to 20kg:
Applying to person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft of 20kg or less (without fuel but including equipment):
Applying to person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft 7kg – 20kg (without fuel but including equipment):
Applying to person in charge of a small unmanned surveillance aircraft of 20kg or less (without fuel but including equipment):