Tag: Baroness Randerson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-10-29.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions since the National Assembly for Wales acquired full legislative powers (1) the Welsh Government has sought permission under Minister of the Crown functions for proposals within Welsh bills, and (2) such permission was refused.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Secretary of State consent to amend Minister of the Crown functions has been sought in relation to seven of the Acts passed by the Assembly since 2011. The Government has refused such consent once, in relation to the Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Act 2012, having suggested an amendment to the drafting which would have enabled the UK Government to give consent but was rejected by the Welsh Government.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-12-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many officials within the Department for Transport they expect to be working as part of the team liaising with Network Rail in 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2018–19.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

A large number of staff within the Department for Transport’s Rail Executive liaise with Network Rail on a wide range of policy, delivery and operational issues – it is not possible to state an exact number as these staff also have other responsibilities. A team of seven officials currently handles issues specifically arising from Network Rail’s reclassification to the public sector in September 2014. Future resourcing will remain responsive to business needs and is not pre-planned over these years.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-02-02.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they plan to take to improve customer satisfaction with South Eastern, Southern, and Govia Thameslink train services, and whether they have plans to take over any of those franchises.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

It is for the operators of the relevant franchises to take steps to improve customer satisfaction and deliver the requirements set out in their respective Franchise Agreements.

Gatwick Express and Southern are operated as part of the Thameslink Southern and Great Northern franchise operated by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). The Franchise Agreement includes a Passenger Experience Metric which was developed for this franchise to measure, reward and incentivise good levels of customer satisfaction. GTR failed to meet its benchmark for cancellations set out in its Franchise Agreement. In order to address the poor performance, the Department issued GTR with a Remedial Plan Notice that requires them to set out the measures they will take to improve their performance. GTR submitted its Remedial Plan and discussions are on-going to ensure the plan is robust. Once the measures are agreed they will become contractually binding through a Remedial Agreement.

This year GTR will introduce new trains on the Gatwick Express service, replacing the current 25-year-old trains with a fleet better suited to the needs of airport passengers.

The Southeastern franchise includes a financial penalty regime if the operator does not achieve the National Rail Passenger Survey (NRPS) benchmarks for stations, train services and customer service. We will review performance against these benchmarks in March 2016, and any penalties incurred must be re-invested into raising passenger satisfaction, with plans agreed by the Department.

The Department has no plans to take over either of these franchises.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-05-23.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions have taken place between the Department of Health and the Department for International Development regarding the draft Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis 2016–2021.

Baroness Verma

The UK Government welcomes the development of this strategy for preventing, diagnosing and treating viral hepatitis. DFID works very closely with the Department of Health and we have a joint delegation to the World Health Assembly.

DFID supports improving the access to clean and safe water and hygiene promotion to reduce the risk of transmission of hepatitis A and E. We are the largest donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which increases access to immunisation in low income countries. This includes protection against hepatitis B. The UK supports UNITAID, which is working to improve access to better diagnostics for Hepatits C and we are supporting the Clinton Health Access Initiative to reduce prices and increase access to new treatments. In addition DFID supports comprehensive harm reduction programmes and strategies through its support to the Global Fund, which help reduce transmission of both HIV and Hepatitis C.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-07-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the policy of the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and of the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) on the circumstances in which Driver-Only Operation can safely be implemented; and whether they have had discussions with RSSB and ORR on that issue.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Trains where the driver has responsibility for all aspects of operation, including the doors (known in the industry as ‘Driver Only Operation’) have been in service in Great Britain for over 30 years.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), in its role as the independent railway safety regulator, has scrutinised this approach and is satisfied that, with suitable equipment, proper procedures and competent staff in place, it is a safe method of working.

A number of projects have been published by RSSB on various aspects of Driver Only Operation on passenger trains. Its research has concluded that, when properly managed, there are no increased risks from dispatching a train without a guard being present.

Department for Transport officials regularly meet with ORR and RSSB representatives to discuss a variety of railway safety issues including Driver Only Operation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-11-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect Transport for Greater Manchester to announce the new contractor for the smart-ticketing scheme previously awarded to ATOS, and when they expect such a scheme to be introduced.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

This is a commercial matter for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). The Government has no involvement in any negotiations between TfGM and any prospective new contractors.

The introduction of any smart ticketing scheme will depend on the progress made by TfGM in appointing any new contractor.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-12-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to reform or strengthen the role of Traffic Commissioner.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Department for Transport published its review of the role of the traffic commissioners this year. This recommends that we continue with the commissioners in their present form.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-02-08.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the administration of the Apprenticeships Levy will function in order to fund work-based learning and vocational training in (1) Wales, (2) Scotland, and (3) Northern Ireland.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

We are continuing discussions with the devolved administrations about a fair allocation of funding from the proceeds of the Apprenticeship Levy.

Education and skills policy, including apprenticeships, is a devolved matter.

It is for the devolved administrations of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to determine how they manage and fund apprenticeships.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-05-23.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for International Development will support the Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis 2016–2021 at the forthcoming World Health Assembly.

Baroness Verma

The UK Government welcomes the development of this strategy for preventing, diagnosing and treating viral hepatitis. DFID works very closely with the Department of Health and we have a joint delegation to the World Health Assembly.

DFID supports improving the access to clean and safe water and hygiene promotion to reduce the risk of transmission of hepatitis A and E. We are the largest donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which increases access to immunisation in low income countries. This includes protection against hepatitis B. The UK supports UNITAID, which is working to improve access to better diagnostics for Hepatits C and we are supporting the Clinton Health Access Initiative to reduce prices and increase access to new treatments. In addition DFID supports comprehensive harm reduction programmes and strategies through its support to the Global Fund, which help reduce transmission of both HIV and Hepatitis C.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-09-13.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to take forward the recommendations of the West Anglia Taskforce to examine timetable improvements to reduce rail journey times on the West Anglia Main Line between London, Stansted and Cambridge.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Department for Transport is carefully considering the recommendations of the draft report of the West Anglia Taskforce, particularly the interactions with the commitments made as part of the new East Anglia franchise. However, the recommendation to establish an “action group” has already been taken forward.