The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when his Department will provide substantive Answers to Questions 25366 and 25426 submitted on 2 February 2016.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The PQs have now been answered.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-01.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how long in advance of the date of the closure will HM Revenue and Customs staff in each office earmarked for closure be informed of their future employment options.
Mr David Gauke
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has already commenced a discussion process with staff in offices identified for closure. HMRC has given a commitment to staff that they will have a one-to-one meeting with their manager to discuss their options at least one year ahead of their office closure.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when the consultation on a national school funding formula will begin.
Mr Sam Gyimah
The spending review announced our commitment to making school funding fairer by introducing a National Funding Formula for schools. Implementing such a large scale reform of the distribution of over £40 billion of education funding is a detailed and complex issue, and one we must get right. It is paramount that we consult with the public and sector, and we will set out, and consult on, our detailed plans for a National Funding Formula in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been (a) arrested and (b) prosecuted for shining laser pens at (i) road transport, (ii) train, (c) air transport drivers in each of the last five years.
Mike Penning
The Home Office does not hold data centrally on the number of arrests made for shining laser pens at road transport, train, or air transport drivers. The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of arrests broken down by offence group and police force area. These data cannot be broken down to identify those arrested for misuse of a laser pen.
The Ministry of Justice holds data relating to prosecutions. Data held centrally at the Ministry of Justice cannot be broken down to the level of detail requested. It is not possible to identify if a defendant was proceeded against for the misuse of a laser pen.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from transport organisations on the impairment threat of laser pens.
Mr Robert Goodwill
Ministers and Officials in the Department have received direct representations from the British Air Line Pilots’ Association (BALPA) on the threat to pilots from a laser strike.
Further representations have been received through industry membership to the UK Laser Working Group. The Group which was established by the CAA to develop measures to reduce laser strikes to aircraft includes representatives from British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA), Honourable Company of Air Pilots, various airlines and airport operators, as well as Government Departments and Agencies.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a system of civilian drone registration similar to that used in the USA.
Mr Robert Goodwill
Officials from my department are talking to both the US and Irish authorities about the potential benefits of a registration scheme and impacts that such a scheme would have on the industry and how effective a registration scheme would be in improving transparency of ownership. However registration schemes are only as good as the enforcement mechanisms behind them. Government will be consulting on a range of options over the summer.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what objectives his Department has set for the proposed sale of the M6 toll road; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
The sale of the M6 Toll is being carried out by a private company and it is for the vendor to set objectives for the process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to carry out practical tests on the effect of a drone flying into a jet engine.
Mr Robert Goodwill
Commercial aircraft are already rigorously tested to withstand collisions with small objects, such as birds, but my Department and the Civil Aviation Authority are working with the aviation sector, including manufacturers, airports and airlines, to ensure our understanding of the potential hazards to aircraft remains up-to-date. This activity is also helping to provide real life evidence of drone risks and the options for preventing collisions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 1 March 2016 to Question 27610, for what reasons the technical solution offered by VW was accepted in the EU but not in the US.
Andrew Jones
Manufacturers are required to comply with different technical standards between the EU market and the USA market. The engineering solution proposed by VW will bring its diesel cars into compliance with the EU emissions limits and testing is underway to confirm that this solution works for all model types. We do not have information regarding VW’s technical solutions in the USA.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will introduce mandatory geo-fencing technology for civilian drones.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The UK Government and the Civil Aviation Authority are talking to manufacturers about implementing geo-fencing technology on their drone systems. There are a number of drones already sold in the UK with this technology installed. My department is talking to a range stakeholders, including airports, about potential solutions for restricting drone operations around airports and other key infrastructure. We expect to have some results from this work by the end of the summer.