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  • Tania Mathias – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Tania Mathias – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tania Mathias on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the concentration of flight paths over residential areas near Heathrow Airport.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Government’s overall policy on aviation noise, as stated in the 2013 Aviation Policy Framework (APF), is ‘to limit and, where possible, reduce the number of people in the UK significantly affected by aircraft noise’. To achieve this, the Government believes in most cases it will be preferable to concentrate aircraft over as few routes as possible. The APF does however go on to say that ‘where there is intensive use of certain routes, and following engagement with local communities, it may be appropriate to explore options for respite which share noise between communities on an equitable basis, provided this does not lead to significant numbers of people newly affected by noise.’

  • Daniel Zeichner – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Daniel Zeichner – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many miles of local authority road are in a poor structural condition in (a) England outside London and (b) London.

    Andrew Jones

    The Department for Transport does not hold information on how many miles of local authority roads are in a poor structural condition in England or London.

  • Tania Mathias – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Tania Mathias – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tania Mathias on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of night flights to and from Heathrow Airport.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    Along with Gatwick and Stansted, the Government sets night flight restrictions at Heathrow, using its powers under s.78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982.

    These restrictions limit the number of flights between the hours of 23.30 and 06.00 that can take place during a particular season – there are two seasons per annum, winter and summer, which coincide with the use of Greenwich Mean Time and British Summer Time. Heathrow is limited to 5,800 flights a year during these hours, which translates in to an average of 16 flights per night. Due to a voluntary agreement which prevents scheduled movements before 04.30, most of these flights are from aircraft arriving between the hours of 04.30 and 06.00. It should be noted that these restrictions do not preclude additional aircraft from operating at Heathrow during the night period in the case of emergencies or severe disruption.

    As well as limiting the number of movements allowed within an airline season, these restrictions place requirements on the aircraft that can operate during the night period, and place seasonal limits on the amount of noise energy that can be emitted at Heathrow. Aircraft are certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) according to the noise they produce and the higher the band an aircraft is certified as the higher quota amount it uses with each movement. The Government has also prohibited the noisiest types of aircraft from using the airport during the night. QC/4 aircraft are not allowed to be scheduled during the night quota period (2330 to 0600), and the highest rated QC/8 and QC/16 aircraft are prevented from operating at all during the entire night period (2300 to 0700).

    The Government will begin consulting next year on a new nights flight regime which will take effect from October 2017.

  • Patrick Grady – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Patrick Grady – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Transport for London on the ability of its ticket machines to accept banknotes issued by Scottish banks.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with Transport for London (TfL) on the ability of its ticket machines to accept banknotes issued by Scottish banks.

  • Daniel Zeichner – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Daniel Zeichner – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer to Question 15214, what assessment his Department has made of reference in the Quality Contract Scheme Board’s report to bus operators being compensated by the Government for future losses that might be incurred as a result of franchising.

    Andrew Jones

    The Quality Contract Scheme Board’s report concerns a proposal under existing legislation. The intention is to introduce the Buses Bill later in this Parliamentary session, so proposals are still in development. We will of course consider the thoughts presented by the Quality Contract Scheme Board alongside a range of other perspectives.

  • Margaret Ferrier – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Margaret Ferrier – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Financial Statement of 8 July 2015, Official Report, column 327, when the consultation on extending the deadline for new cars and motorbikes to have their first MOT test from three to four years will begin; who will be invited to respond to that consultation; and when that consultation will end.

    Andrew Jones

    The consultation‎ is expected to be published in early 2016 and is likely to run for 12 weeks. It will be a public consultation and anyone will be able to respond. It is likely that the consultation will be brought to the attention of a number of specific groups, including motoring organisations, MOT industry groups, commercial vehicle trade associations and road safety organisations.

  • Nic Dakin – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Nic Dakin – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to embed the Family Test into its policy making.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    Officials in my Department have liaised with the Department for Work and Pensions as the lead Department for the Family Test on cross government activity to embed the Test into the policy process. This has included training officials on applying the Test, disseminating relevant learning materials and best practice.

  • Ian Paisley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Prime Minister

    Ian Paisley – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Prime Minister

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Paisley on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he had with representatives of the Russian government at the recent G20 meeting on Syria.

    Mr David Cameron

    I refer the hon. Member to the press release published by my Office on 16 November 2015. The press release is available on the gov.uk website.

  • Nic Dakin – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Nic Dakin – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps her Department has taken to embed the family test into its policy making.

    Mr Ben Wallace

    Officials in my Department have liaised with DWP as the lead Department for the Family Test to embed it into the policy process. This has included training officials on applying the Test, disseminating relevant evidence, learning materials and best practice.

  • Nic Dakin – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House

    Nic Dakin – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Leader of the House, what steps his Office has taken to embed the family test into its policy making.

    Chris Grayling

    I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk (Matt Hancock) on 16 November 2015, to Question UIN 15373.

    “