Tag: Richard Burden

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what regulations address the criminal use of drones; and what plans the Government has to bring forward further regulations related to such activity.

Mr Robert Goodwill

There are a range of laws in place to regulate the use of drones, prevent criminal use, and enable enforcement action to be taken when needed.

The Air Navigation Order 2009 (ANO) regulates the use of all aircraft, including drones, and provides for a range of offences to guard against criminal use. For example the offences of endangering the safety of an aircraft, and endangering the safety of any person or property, apply to the users of all drones. There are also offences specific to users of small drones, and those using drones for aerial works. Please see at the end of the answer below for a list of these provisions.

The Civil Aviation (Insurance) Regulations 2005 deal with insurance requirements for drones, and contain offences to enforce these.

Offences relating to personal data are provided for in the Data Protection Act 1998.

Other legislation which is not aviation or transport specific may also be relevant to addressing criminal use of drones.

On future regulation, a proposed new EU Regulation on aviation safety is currently being negotiated with the European Aviation Safety Agency and other EU Member States. This will apply to all drones.

While the Government considers that there are comprehensive rules in place to guard against criminal use of drones, we continue to keep under careful review whether there is any need for further legislation in this area.

Provisions in ANO which are enforced by offences listed in Schedule 13 ANO

a) Relevant to all drones:

• Article 137 – endangering safety of an aircraft
• Article 138 – endangering safety of any person or property

b) Relevant to drones above 20kg (those over 150kg have additional requirements to meet):

• Article 3 – registration (unless comply with B Conditions – see Schedule 2 ANO)
• Article 16 – certificate of airworthiness (unless comply with B Conditions)
• Article 21 – issue of national permits to fly
• Article 31 – dropping articles for purposes of agriculture etc
• Article 129 – dropping of articles and animals

c) Relevant to drones up to 20kg:

• Article 166 – requirements for small unmanned aircraft

Applying to person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft of 20kg or less (without fuel but including equipment):

• article 166(1) – Causing or permitting an article or animal to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft so as to endanger persons or property.

• article 166(2) – Flying without being reasonably satisfied that the flight can be safely made.

• article 166(3) – Failing to maintain direct, unaided visual contact sufficient to monitor flight path.

• article 166(5) – Flying for the purposes of aerial work without permission.

Applying to person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft 7kg – 20kg (without fuel but including equipment):

• article 166(4)(a) – Flying in Class A, C, D or E airspace without the permission of the appropriate Air Traffic Control unit,

• article 166(4)(b) – Flying within an Air Traffic Zone during the notified hours of watch without permission,

• article 166(4)(c) – Flying at a height of more than 400ft above the surface unless within 166(4)(a) or (b).

• Article 167 – requirements for small unmanned surveillance aircraft.

Applying to person in charge of a small unmanned surveillance aircraft of 20kg or less (without fuel but including equipment):

• article 167(1) – Flight over or within 150m of a congested area,
• article 167(1) & (2)(b) – Flight over or within 150m of an organised open-air assembly or more than 1,000 persons without permission,
• article 167(1) & (2)(c) – Flight within 50m of any vessel, vehicle or structure or person (not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft) without permission,
• article 167(3) – Taking off within 30m of a person (not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to Israeli authorities about reports of further demolitions of EU-funded structures in Jabal al Baba.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We condemn the demolition of Bedouin homes at Jabal Al-Baba, which is a particularly vulnerable community in East Jerusalem. We have not specifically raised the issue, but we are extremely concerned at the large increase in demolitions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since the start of 2016, compared to the monthly average in 2015. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv continues to raise our concern about demolitions regularly with the Israeli authorities, most recently on 15 May. We call on Israel to provide a legal route for Palestinians to obtain building permits.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-05-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the utilisation rate was for Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyors in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The averaged utilisation rate for marine surveyors for 2013-14 was 65%.

In December 2014 a new system was implemented within MCA and no figures are available yet through the replacement system.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received on the sophistication of the plug-in grant to promote high safety rated electric and low emission vehicles.

Andrew Jones

To be eligible for the Plug-In Car and Van Grants, vehicles must meet a range of environmental, safety and performance criteria. These requirements include compliance with recognised international safety standards. Many electric vehicles tested under the Euro NCAP system have received the highest five-star safety rating.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-07-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July to Question 41425, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the UK aviation sector on the implications for (a) that sector and (b) the priorities for his Department’s aviation policies of the outcome of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU.

Mr Robert Goodwill

Officials in my Department have regular discussions with representatives of the aviation sector on a range of issues.

The Government’s position on the outcome of the EU referendum is clear: the British people voted for the UK to leave the European Union on 23 June and their will must be respected and delivered.

And as My Right Honourable Friend the Prime Minister has said, it will be for the Government, under a new Prime Minister, to begin negotiations to exit the EU. Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. During this period the Government will continue to negotiate, implement and apply EU legislation.

There will be no immediate changes to our aviation priorities as a consequence of the vote, and the Government will continue working to deliver its agenda.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the causes of the increase in homelessness in 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones

Homelessness is rarely a housing issue alone. The causes are varied and driven by issues such as health, education, justice, welfare, and employment.

That is why the work we have undertaken supports action across these. For example, we invested £5 million in the world’s first homelessness Social Impact Bond, run by the Greater London Authority to turn round the lives around of 830 of London’s most entrenched rough sleepers. Over half have achieved accommodation, employment or reconnection outcomes.

In addition we have invested £15 million to improve outcomes for young people through the Fair Chance Fund. This funding is turning around the lives of around 1,900 18 to 25 year olds with complex and overlapping needs, by supporting them into accommodation, education, training and employment.

Since 2010 we have invested over £500 million to enable local authorities and the voluntary sector to support those vulnerable and at risk of homelessness.

We have protected the homelessness prevention funding local authorities receive, totalling £315 million by 2019-20. This builds on our Spending Review commitment to increase central government funding to £139 million over the next four years. We are working with homelessness organisations to consider all options, including legislation, to ensure those at risk of homelessness get earlier and more effective support.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has (a) received and (b) made on eye health services at Birmingham City Hospital.

David Mowat

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified one written representation received between 1 April 2016 and 11 October 2016 about eye health services at Birmingham City Hospital.

The Department has made no representations on this matter.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-10-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the efficiency savings his Department has gained from the reorganisation of the Highways Agency to Highways England; and what the budget of that body was in each of the last five years.

Andrew Jones

It is too early to estimate the efficiency savings gained from the reorganisation of Highways England which was created on 1 April 2015. The Department for Transport published the Roads Reform Programme Evaluation Framework in March. This includes a clear expectation that the evaluation will be carried out over a number of years, given the number of the changes made. In addition the Office of Rail and Road, will continue to monitor the performance of Highways England including efficiencies. The table below shows the capital expenditure of Highways England, with resource spend and the depreciation of road asset value.

	Resource (excl.depreciation)(£m)	Resource Depreciation (£m)	Capital (£m)
2014/15	1,000	866	1,823
2013/14	1,012	929	1,425
2012/13	1,038	914	1,034
2011/12	1,145	870	1,288
2010/11	1,214	775	1,654

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the retesting of Volkswagen vehicles being carried out by the Vehicle Certification Agency includes testing for carbon dioxide emissions.

Andrew Jones

The Government takes the unacceptable actions of Volkswagen (VW) Group extremely seriously. As we investigate what went wrong and what we can do to stop it happening again, the priority of course remains to protect the public. We expect VW to take every step necessary to protect its UK customers, but it is right that the Government carry out their own thorough and independent investigation.

A written statement was made today (10 November) informing the House of the latest developments on the Department for Transport’s vehicle emissions testing programme, following the revelations that VW had fitted defeat devices to some of its vehicles.

The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is working to confirm that this issue is not industry wide. They have tested two VW group vehicles known to contain a defeat device and will rerun laboratory tests on popular cars sold in the UK to compare real world driving emissions against laboratory performance. This will include measuring CO₂ .

The Secretary of State spoke to Dr Herbert Deiss of VW on 4 November to discuss CO₂ emissions, seeking information on those vehicles affected in the UK and the extent of the discrepancy. VW have stated that they are working hard to clarify the situation and are liaising with relevant approval authorities.

The Secretary of State has written jointly with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to VW seeking clarification on several issues. Separately, officials from the Department for Transport, and its Agencies have held a number of discussions with VW regarding the recall of affected vehicles.

The Department for Transport has not made a specific assessment of on road emissions in relation to type approval requirements, but officials are aware of the findings in published reports suggesting significant differences.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure consistent and comprehensive communications by travel insurance companies with UK nationals in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office encourages British nationals to take out comprehensive travel insurance before all foreign travel and to consider carefully the type of insurance they need for their trip. In doing so we work closely with key industry partners such as the Association of British Insurers, who supported ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign activity on travel insurance in May, July and August this year. We also provide information and advice about travel insurance on the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance. During our response to recent events in Sharm el Sheikh we worked closely with the airlines and tour operators to ensure consistency of approach to the package offered for those delayed in-country and to minimise the impact on travellers.