Tag: Richard Burden

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-01-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with the UN Relief and Work Agency of the potential effect of financial shortfalls in (a) 2015-16 and (b) future on the provision of aid to the Palestinian Territories.

Mr Desmond Swayne

The Secretary of State for International Development met UNRWA’s Commissioner General, Pierre Krahenbuhl, in December 2015 to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to UNRWA. Their discussion also focused on the important reforms UNRWA has been undertaking to address their chronic deficit and the need for UNRWA to diversify their donor base. The UK remains the third largest donor to UNRWA’s core budget and emergency appeals, in recognition of the important work that UNRWA does and that Palestinian refugees are a particularly vulnerable group across the region.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-01-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the Maritime Apprenticeships Trailblazer Working Group (TWG); when he expects Maritime TWG apprenticeships to be available to employees and employers in the shipping industry; and what estimate he has made of the number of new seafarer ratings that will be trained through apprenticeships developed through the Maritime TWG.

Mr Robert Goodwill

Maritime skills and apprenticeships, including the maritime trailblazer, were discussed at the first meeting of the new Ministerial Working Group for Maritime Growth on 30^th November 2015. The group comprises Ministers and senior officials from across Whitehall including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and industry representative including from the Maritime Apprenticeships Trailblazer Working Group.

The Maritime Apprenticeships Trailblazer Working Group is an employer led group. The able seafarer (deck) standard is now approved and ready for delivery and others are in development. Once a standard is ready for delivery it is open to any employer or training provider for delivery.

It is too early to make an assessment on the number of new seafarer ratings that will be trained through apprenticeships, but the Department is currently reviewing seafarer projections across the industry.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has (a) received from and (b) made to the Israeli government on a ruling by a military court on 28 January 2016 ordering the residents of Ern ar Rashash to demolish their homes and vacate the area.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We have not received any representations on this issue. While we have not raised this issue with the Israeli authorities, we do, however, regularly raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities over demolitions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Volkswagen on the provision of additional staffing in the UK during its repair programme.

Andrew Jones

The Government expects Volkswagen to treat its UK consumers fairly and adequately address their concerns. The Secretary of State pressed Volkswagen UK on their plans for the recall of affected vehicles, including for managing the additional workload, in a meeting on 10 December. He urged Volkswagen to resolve swiftly this unacceptable situation for both their customers and the British public. Departmental officials continue to meet regularly with Volkswagen on this issue.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which Government policies on ensuring the (a) security of UK ports and (b) identification and checking of containers for contraband, trafficked persons or other illegal activity are the responsibility of his Department; and which such policies which are the responsibility of another department his Department has a secondary role in.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for ensuring that proportionate security measures are in place to protect ports, passengers and ships registered in this country. These measures are risk based and are designed to mitigate the threat from terrorism. This work involves close co-operation with other government departments, the Police and the maritime industry.

The Home Office is responsible for the detection of contraband and trafficked persons at UK Ports. DfT works closely with the Home Office and other partner agencies to counter this type of illegal activity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what representations he has received outlining concerns related to his Department’s new anti-lobbying policy.

Matthew Hancock

The few representations received about implementation of the new clause in Government grants have given us the opportunity to explain that the clause does not stop grant recipients from lobbying, but prevents them from spending government grant funded by taxpayers given for a different purpose on lobbying.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department plans to provide to (a) the public and (b) potential investors on the proposed sale of the M6 Toll Road.

Andrew Jones

The Department provides a wide range of information about the UK road network, including traffic counts for all major roads. However it does not plan to provide any information specifically on the proposed sale of the M6 Toll Road.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the most recent cost estimate is for each of the road projects listed in the Government’s announcement, Major roads investment in the Midlands, published on 1 December 2014 that have not yet been completed; and what the final costs were of any of those projects that have been completed.

Andrew Jones

For schemes that are Open for Traffic, the actual out-turn costs have been provided. Schemes that are in development or construction show the latest approved estimate.

Scheme Name	Announced	Estimated Cost (£m)	Source of Estimate
M1 junctions 28 to 31	2010	205.8	Under construction
A453 widening	2011	170.0	Scheme complete
M6 junctions 10a to 13	2011	98.3	Scheme complete
A14 Kettering bypass widening	2011	37.6	Scheme complete
M1 junction 19 improvement	2011	190.7	Under construction
A45-A46 Tollbar End	2011	106.3	Under construction
A38 Derby junctions	2013	180 to 282	In development
M5 junctions 4A to 6	2013	106.4	Under construction
M54 to M6 and M6 toll link road	2013	237 to 344	In development
M6 J5 to J8 smart motorway	2010	110.7	Scheme complete

For the remaining schemes outlined in the 1 December 2014 announcement, the current costs are the cost category as quoted in the RIS Investment Plan, which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/381496/roads-investment-strategy-summary-of-schemes.pdf

There is currently no cost information for the Strategic Studies as they are in the very early stages of investigating options.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his plans are for the trialling of driverless HGV platoons.

Andrew Jones

There are no plans for trialling driverless HGV platoons. The trials under consideration would have drivers in each vehicle, who will be required to stay alert and remain able to control the vehicle. The Department for Transport is expecting to publish an invitation to tender later this year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what routine responsibilities are required of Amey by Highways England in its maintenance and response contract for the East Midlands.

Andrew Jones

The Maintenance and Response (M&R) Contractor for Area 7. Amey Highways Ltd, will be required to undertake cyclic and reactive maintenance, incident response, severe weather response and traffic management across the East Midlands and Lincolnshire. This includes :

Cyclic and reactive maintenance:

• Schedule and deliver the annual programme of cyclical work to meet requirements in the most efficient and effective way
• Carry out defect repairs to the requirements for each asset type

Incident Response:

• Attend incident, assess and advise Area 7 Control
• Make safe and clear up, including environmental containment
• Act as lead if other parts of the Highways England supply chain is used
• Carry out associated defect repairs
• Act as the on-road incident support function for Area 7
• Be Principal Contractor if other contractors are used

Severe Weather Response:

• Provide severe weather response for winter, flooding and high winds
• Work with Highways England on weather intelligence to be prepared and proactive
• Provide trained driver / operatives to cover the full winter service
• Maintain vehicles and equipment
• Provide fuel used by fleet and management of salt

Traffic Management (TM):

• Provide TM for all M&R cyclical work
• Provide TM for all reactive work, including incidents
• Provide TM for Highways England activities and Support Services, including inspections and technical survey work
• Provide TM for events when requested