Tag: Drew Hendry

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to simplify rail fares for journeys between London and Scotland and reduce the fare anomalies that lead to split ticketing.

Paul Maynard

Rail passengers should always be able to get the best deal and the industry must work harder to make this a reality. We are aware that there are a number of routes for which it can be cheaper to purchase two or more tickets for individual parts of the route than a through ticket for the entire journey. Anyone is entitled to purchase two or more separate tickets for their journey so long as the train they are travelling on stops at the stations indicated at the end of each ticket. Apparent anomalies in pricing that may be experienced on long-distance routes like London to Scotland, can sometimes be a result of competition on the railways encouraging one operator to reduce prices when competing with others on the route. Price competition on the railways can be positive for passengers. The Department would need to consider very carefully any action that removed this incentive for operators.

Train operators are obliged to sell the most appropriate through fare based on the information the passenger gives them. This will depend on what time the passenger wants to travel and how flexible they need to be. The National Rail Conditions of Carriage, which form the basis of the contract you enter into when you buy a rail ticket, allow passengers to use combinations of tickets. However, it is vital that industry improve information available to passengers and I will be raising this with the Rail Delivery Group as a priority.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2016-02-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in what way his Department participates in the European New Car Assessment Programme; and what his policy is on changes to the criteria for awarding five stars for safety.

Andrew Jones

The Department for Transport, as a founding member of Euro NCAP, continues to take a keen interest in the organisation through membership of the Board of Directors.

Euro NCAP has regularly updated the assessment criteria to reflect new technologies and improved designs. As such it has been fundamental to improving road safety of new cars in the UK and the organisation provides a valuable source of information to UK consumers which the government fully supports.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department will take steps to match the commitment made by the EU to equip every town and village with free wireless internet by 2020.

Matt Hancock

The Government will consider the European Commission’s detailed plans for implementing their proposal when they are available.

In the meantime we are working to extend digital connectivity further and maintain its position as a world-leading digital economy. The partnership between central Government and local authorities has resulted in £1.7bn of public investment in superfast broadband across the UK and has enabled commercial suppliers to extend coverage of superfast broadband to over 90% of UK homes and businesses. The BDUK programme will see coverage rise to 95% of UK homes and businesses by the end of 2017.

Additionally, Telefonica (O2) has a licence obligation to deliver indoor 4G coverage to 98 per cent of premises in the UK by end 2017 that will further boost local connectivity across the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2015-11-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Development on contributing to the European Commission’s North Africa Trust Fund.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The UK continues to contribute to the North Africa Trust Fund at the same level as comparable EU states, and has allocated funds to tackle the root causes of migration from the Horn of Africa. There have been no recent discussions between the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Secretary of State for International Development on contributing to the European Commission’s North Africa Trust Fund.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2016-02-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what provisions the UK has adopted to comply with the new EU directive on measures to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications networks; and how the UK plans to apply that directive in relation to new build homes.

Mr Edward Vaizey

DCMS is responsible for transposing the EU Broadband Cost Reduction Directive, and will produce regulations to ensure the Directive comes into force by 1 July 2016. The Directive will ensure that public communications networks can request information about a broad range of physical infrastructure that may be suitable for rolling out networks, and can request access to such infrastructure on fair and reasonable terms. There will also be enhanced transparency of planned civil works and a requirement to coordinate works funded through public means.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department will take steps to match the commitment made by the EU to fully deploy 5G by 2025.

Matt Hancock

Government has committed to ensuring that the UK seizes the chance to be a world leader in the development of 5G. We have actively participated in the global process for setting 5G standards., and we will continue to engage with international partners, including in the EU, to ensure that the UK is able to maximise the opportunities from 5G leading to widespread deployment as soon as it is commercially viable.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2015-11-16.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the spending reductions agreed between his Department and the Department for Transport will affect Barnett consequentials.

Greg Hands

The Barnett Formula will be applied to the Department of Transport’s Spending Review settlement in the usual way. This will be reflected in the Devolved Administration’s allocations when the outcome of the Spending Review is published on 25 November.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2016-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department has decided on a date for the conclusion of the public sector spectrum release.

Mr Edward Vaizey

Budget 2016 announces a new government commitment that 750MHz of valuable public sector spectrum in bands under 10GHz will be made available by 2022, of which 500MHz will be made available by 2020. All revenue from spectrum auctions is paid into the Consolidated Fund operated by HM Treasury.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review the citizenship process for EU nationals married to British citizens.

Mr Robert Goodwill

There are no plans to review the citizenship process for EU nationals married to British citizens at the current time.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Drew Hendry on 2015-11-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what effect the spending reductions agreed between his Department and HM Treasury will have on the (a) Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, (b) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, (c) Maritime and Coastguard Agency and (d) Vehicle Certification Agency.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Government will provide full details of the Spending Review outcome on 25 November.