The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of recent trends in the prevalence of myxomatosis in the UK; and if she will make a statement.
Rory Stewart
Myxomatosis is not a notifiable disease. As such the Government has not made an assessment of its incidence recently.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-10-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons his Department deploys speed cameras that photograph vehicles from the (a) front and (b) rear on (i) trunk roads and (ii) motorways; and for what reasons his Department does not have a consistent policy on the deployment and use of such speed cameras.
Andrew Jones
It is for local authorities and police to decide how they wish to operate speed cameras. The Department issued guidance in 2007 entitled “Use of speed and red-light cameras for traffic enforcement: guidance on deployment, visibility and signing”. I wrote to all local authorities in England and Wales on 20 October 2015 to remind them of the guidance which is available on gov.uk.
Some cameras have the capability to photograph vehicles from the front and rear, whereas others do not. Where front and back photographing is possible, it will be for highway authorities and the Police to decide whether such cameras are most suitable.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-02-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons a high-sided heavy goods vehicle which overturned on the Humber Bridge on 1 February 2016 was permitted to cross the bridge while the bridge was closed to all high-sided vehicles due to high winds; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
Safety on the Humber Bridge is the responsibility of the Humber Bridge Board in cooperation with the local police.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on which motorways at which locations automatic number plate recognition cameras are in use; and what offences such cameras are being used to detect.
Andrew Jones
Highways England have installed and operate automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras across 500 sites covering the majority of the motorway and trunk road network. These are used for data gathering and provision of information, such as journey times and are not used for enforcement purposes.
In addition, there are a small number of ANPR cameras at the Dartford Crossing to support Dartford free flow charging and 22 sites at various locations operated by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to detect offences, including unlicensed operators, untested vehicles and at some locations overloaded vehicles.
A private sector company, Trafficmaster, operates their own ANPR cameras to capture traffic flow information to provide traffic services for travellers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2016 to Question 48050, if her Department will make representations to Ofcom on introducing a cap on the amount of spectrum each mobile operator can hold.
Matt Hancock
Ofcom is still considering the rules for the forthcoming auction. We will await their findings.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2015-10-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the level of democratic oversight of road safety partnerships; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
None. This is a matter for the partnerships concerned.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take to ensure that dualling of the A1079 between Barnby Moor and Wilberfoss goes ahead; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
The A1079 between Barnby Moor and Wilberfoss is a local road and as such is the responsibility of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. I understand that this scheme has been identified as a priority by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, but it will be for the Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership to identify future funding opportunities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to further restrict the use of drones to ensure (a) the safety of aircraft and (b) privacy of members of the public.
Mr Robert Goodwill
There are existing regulations in place that require users of drones to maintain direct, unaided visual contact with their vehicle and to not recklessly or negligently cause or permit their craft to endanger any person or property. There are also tough existing penalties, including up to five years imprisonment for endangering an aircraft. Guidance on tackling the risks of criminal drone use has been provided to constabularies across the UK. The Secretary of State has written to the Police to request their assistance in raising awareness of drone risks and restrictions.
The Department continues to work with the CAA and industry partners to assess the safety risk of drones. It is also currently working with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to develop consistent, EU-wide safety rules for drones. A public consultation is planned for the summer. This will look at a range of options including registration and licensing options, and the potential for restrictions on purchase and use.
Operators of drones that might collect personal data must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) unless a relevant exemption applies. The requirements of the DPA are regulated by the independent Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and their website provides clear guidance to operators.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2015-11-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the criteria are for authorising an average speed limit stretch of highway; what measures are in place to prevent an artificially low average speed limit being implemented; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
Average speed limits do not exist but Highways England uses variable speed limits on smart motorways to smooth traffic flow, reduce congestion and enhance safety. The variable limits are set locally in response to traffic flow levels or to help manage incidents.
The Department issued revised guidance in January 2013 aimed mainly at local traffic authorities who are responsible for setting speed limits on local roads. It includes guidance on the use of variable 20 mph speed limits with electronic signs. It has been designed to help explain to everyone why and how local speed limits are determined. This guidance was revised following full public consultation in Summer 2012 and is available online on GOV.UK
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what changes the UK is discussing with its European partners to the EU Framework Directive in respect of commercial vehicle body building and conversion; what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to amend UK law on this matter; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
The European Commission published its proposal for a new framework on motor vehicle type approval on 27 January 2016 and formal discussions with European partners have not started yet. This new proposal sets out a number of changes to the type approval system to bolster oversight of those undertaking the testing and assessment of new vehicles. The Government will be pressing to ensure that any new measures are proportionate and cost effective. The Department for Transport will consult widely on the changes being proposed. I have no plans to amend UK law until changes to the EU Framework have been agreed.