Transport Questions House of Commons

Cooper, for a round-up at 11pm. First, questions to the Transport

Secretary, Chris Grayling and his team of ministers.

Order, order! Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport.

Cheryl Gillan. Number one. Mr Speaker, it is too limited as

demolitions, site clearances, in November 2016, with work commencing

after Royal Assent and you will be aware the Bill passed its last

stages prior to Royal Assent earlier this week. The main work civil

contract is to construct the main physical works for the railway,

including tunnels, viaducts and embankments are due to be released

later this year and initial work will begin shortly after Royal

Assent is completed. I expect that through the construction phase, HS2

limited and my Department will do everything we can to ensure the

impact of those affected is mitigated wherever we possibly can.

Cheryl Gillan. It is ironic that I should draw number one on transport

questions on the day the Bill for Phase 1 of HS2 gets Royal Assent.

And although some people are backslapping, let us remember that

it is tragic for many people. And the impact is disproportionately

felt by my local authority, such as Buckinghamshire County Council and

our parish councils. Can my right honourable friend reassure me and my

constituents and councils that the Department for Transport will

reimburse parish and county and district councils for any reasonable

expenses incurred as a result of the construction of this dreadful

project, HS2? Well, I am well aware that when a project of this kind of

national importance is constructed, it inevitably has an effect on some

of those who live on the route. And I reiterate that point and we will

do everything we can to ensure the process is as reasonable and fair as

possible for those affected. And with regard for local authorities, I

can assure her and repeat the assurance made by my honourable

friend on Monday, HS2 are putting in place service level agreements with

every single local authority along the line of the route. This will set

up additional funding will make available in relation the

construction process. Louise Ellman. I welcome that Royal Assent has been

given. Much-needed investment but can the Secretary of State tell me

how he will insure promises made about jobs and training

opportunities during the construction of HS2 will

materialise? This is something I take seriously and we have been

clear in letting contracts, most recently in the information we put

into the market around the rolling stock, that we expect this project

to leave a lasting skills footprint in the UK and I don't just mean in

the areas of construction around the United Kingdom. A number of events

have been held for potential suppliers to the project around the

UK and we have been clear to all firms, in the UK and

internationally, who want a to be part of the project that we expect

them to believe that footprint, it is an essential part of the project.

Is the Secretary of State aware that because of the decision to have a

station at Sheffield, we will have two HS2 lines running through

Derbyshire? A fast track and a slow track. The result is that there will

be many villages affected, one in particular, in Newton, where more

than 30 Houses are due to be demolished. Will he meet a group of

residents from their village in order to try and sort this matter

out? I am aware of the issue the honourable gentleman refers to and I

give him the same assurance I have just given to my right honourable

friend about us doing our best to minimise impacts. The Minister

alongside me is tonight taking part in a debate where there will be more

detail provided on these questions and I will meet residents to discuss

the issue as well. Some of the worst affected homes on the route are in

East Acton, which faces ten years of destruction, gardens have been

repurchased, main access route has been blocked and a chest to's QC

called my residence tedious for pointing out they do not qualify for

the compensation scheme and they have not been granted exceptional

status like other areas. I encouraged that emphasis has been

put on mitigation, could he meet with my constituents? They wanted

reserve their way of life. It is important to remain the honourable

lady, these matters in relation to her constituency have been

exhaustively examined, not simply by my Department but by a committee of

this House and the other place. Whilst we will always be open to

representations about ways in which we can minimise impact, these issues

have been exhaustively dealt with by this Parliament. Number two, Mr

Speaker. We're working with local authorities to improve air quality,

which is so needed in our more polluted cities. Environment

Secretary will consult on a new air quality plan later this spring. Does

the Minister agree that diesel vehicles are part of the problem and

we need urgent action on them? Is he also aware that if he reads today's

published report on pollution and climate change and how Heathrow will

affect that, will he bear in mind that someone who has just come from

Beijing and knows the pollution there, that is not where we want to

go for citizens in this country. It is important to appreciate that this

is a matter of some high-flown theory about what might happen in

many centuries time. It is about the well-being of people now. In our

cities and elsewhere. And the direct relationship to their quality and

health is well-established. Pollutants are affecting the quality

of life and more so, the health and well-being of people. This is about

the defence of the common good and as he knows and the whole House

names, that is always central to my heart. I would urge ministers on the

Government to do something about the older diesel car is, either taxes or

a scrappage scheme, because we can get electric vehicles and and we

need to deal with inner-city hotspots of pollution. As we tackle

that, we will not reduce levels. Just this morning, I was with motor

manufacturers no less than 16 of them, looking at low emission

vehicles. It is vitally important. We published this week our

technology and aviation Bill, dealing with the issue of electric

car charging infrastructure, amongst other things. One can deal with this

by sanction and penalty, or we can deal with it by encouragement and

incentive and a change of mind. I prefer to look on the positive side

of these things. The penalty will be the millions of pounds of fines

faced by our constituents because of the Government's in action and

failure to Act on this. When will we hear practical action from the

Government, to reduce the number of diesel vehicles? He has not answer

the question. This is the second biggest avoidable killer, air

pollution, after smoking. Let's be clear, we have made progress. In

2016, UK has been the largest market of ultralow vehicles and the EU and

global leader. I am sure the honourable gentleman, in the usual

spirit of bipartisan generosity, will welcome the announcement in the

Autumn Statement setting out a further ?290 million of funding for

live emissions vehicles. He says he wants action, what more action can

you have done that? The policy, the legislation, the resources, we are

taking action. The honourable gentleman, perhaps because it is

Thursday morning and he's feeling grumpy, but he ought to welcome

that. Mere point out that figures from the environment committee from

2015 set out why it is wrong to demonise diesel and diesel drivers.

Diesel cars account for just over 10% of all emissions in London. The

same amount, nearly, of buses. And of ageing trains and of ground-based

aviation, it is not simply diesel. I thought as this short discussion on

low emission vehicles has become, I thought of Proust, who said, in the

real voyage of discovery is for those not seeking new landscapes by

having new allies. And using those eyes to see to the future, is

necessary for us to be ambitious and television about where we can go in

terms of low emission vehicles. -- and have the vision. We will

continue to make more progress and the plan I will release this spring

will set out exactly what that will look like. Thinking of the

manufacturers of diesel vehicles, one in particular, the Minister

knows my interesting, is Volkswagen. Can the Minister confirm from the

dispatch box the extraordinary and contradictory evidence that the

Transport Committee received on Monday from its managing director,

that he has not given his Department everything they have asked for? The

honourable gentleman was at that committee in which he serves and he

will have her at the extraordinary, little short of ridiculous,

statements made by Mr Willis on that occasion. I have met Mr Willis and a

Volkswagen on numerous occasions and asked them for things.

Quicker retro- fit will be a call is, compensation the customers that

are affected and for the money to be paid in full, that because tax had

to spend as a result of what they did. None of those things have been

done to my satisfaction, which is why I have again written to Mr

Willis setting out exactly what our government demands are, not

government demands, demands on behalf of the people. Thank you, the

public a very perplexed about where we're going on diesel cars, would

the Minister in sure that he remembers that many people bought

diesel cars because they knew it was going to be a cheaper car to run.

Yet, it was more expensive. They cannot afford to make the changes

that are coming forward, would the Minister recognised this? Certainly

true that we need to make the transition to low emission vehicles

affordable. When I owned a business... A government that

champions the cause of ordinary working people, access employment

and other opportunities in a way which I think the whole house would

expect, so it is absolutely right that we take a message view, having

said that we have to make more progress and being measured doesn't

mean being complacent. We will make that progress and we will change

minds and change behaviour through what we do. Thank you, following the

transport select committee earlier in the week and night right in

thinking that the situation at false wagon is now one that the company

denied any wrongdoing in the UK and still felt obliged to fix 472,000

vehicles with another half million to look at. They say they have

provided the government would all be information requested, but the

Minister denied that this is the case and that Volkswagen are built

using to publish the report that they themselves have commission. So,

has the Minister told the House in November that he has a steely fist

inside his velvet glove, if folks back and did not meet their

obligations, could he tell the House to date what that steely fist will

mean and what he will do when you need a box wagon again, next month.

To establish best of all, the detail of what blogs wagon had done and

what they haven't. I think it might be best if I let the honourable

gentleman, and the House see a copy of the letter I've written to Mr

Willis which sets out how they have not done what the government had

asked. Secondly, I am determined to use every avenue to push you in the

interest of the consumable stop this equity stake and I will be

travelling to Bellerin to meet counterparts to have these

discussions as much of the evidence lies there. I have met their legal

representatives of those consumers who are moving off private property

to Keating comment yesterday. I will leave no avenue or unexplored, no

stone unturned, Maesteg best is now galvanised.

LAUGHTER. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. The government has strongly

supported the north of England's local authorities and local

enterprise part two is to come together and... They have committed

?50 million to this to produce a comprehensive strategy to support

delivery of the wider Northern Powerhouse strategy,... It was

revealed that London get ?15 million more transport spend per head than

the North, yet a one Crosswell project we could connect the four

major cities of the Powerhouse and that all existing runways utilising

the spare capacity and adding 100 million to the capacity and creating

many new jobs. Does the Minister agree with this? Thank you, I am

aware of the report, we are awaiting the recommendations about Northern

Powerhouse rail. It is just a snapshot of where we are at the

moment. The situation will look extremely different in a few years'

time. Thank you, is the Minister aware that a 21% cut on top of

existing cuts to the mode shift revenue support grant will have a

devastating effect on the rail freight sector in the north of

England and could lead, overall, two of 290,000 extra lorry journeys

every year? Surely this is taking things in absolutely the wrong

direction and will the Minister and take reverse these cuts? I hear the

honourable lady's comments and our policy is to get more freight onto

the railway that is one of the point of HS2, to free up the capacity on

the existing network. The point about the modal shift grant I will

relate to... The government has said that one the benefits of HS2 will be

how well it links to other forms of transport, why then in looking at

the alternatives for HS two. HS2 is there no reference to how it

connects to HS three. Northern Powerhouse is being developed with

the platform of HS2 being delivered. We are looking at using HS2 network

were Northern Powerhouse rail. It is a life consultation running until

March, and I would ask the honourable gentleman to participate

in that. Thank you, HS2 anticipates that draft roofed management and

safety plans covering the a 4010 will be available for discussion and

consultation in March. Great news Mr Speaker I'm glad that people of

Whickham, Aylesbury and Buchan will have the opportunity to scrutinise

plans, will you take bets to enhance the safety of this route? My

honourable friend makes a very important point, safety is critical

as we go into the delivery phrase for HS2. As a result of the

partitioning protest the Secretary of State is committed to make a

contribution of ?480,000 for permanent safety measures along

roads in the common share. Also... Details will be announced shortly.

Mr Speaker, I am working closely, as you would expect, on this earth

elution, we intend to consult on a new air quality plan later this

spring. Given that 40,000 people die prematurely every year from our

pollution and the fact that this government has lost two High Court

cases for its lack of action, will the Minister now use his

considerably large galvanised to push through clean air quality zones

in cities like Norwich to protect people's help? Yes, I think the

honourable gentleman is right, editing clean as zones play a vital

role in that air. Sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe...

Certainly, we all need, and deserve clean air, don't we? He will know

that no it is one of the cities already implemented a force lower

emission zone, he will also know that the campaign for better

transport has welcomed the theme that will be addressed by the clean

as own's local growth policy and plans. These are sound principles to

underpin transport and planning. I think he is right that we need to do

more and clean as zones, I am in weekly discussions with my

colleagues about that. --- clean as zones. The key thing, I think it is

really important that we have good consistent national standards, but

that we respect the local particularities of different places

and cities. So, the role of local government in this will be vital.

They will reflect local circumstances, but they must all

work to high nationalist lives. I'm sure greatly educated in consequent

spot at a cost in time. One of the reasons for a harmful road omissions

in my consistency is if the queues of traffic, when can we have a

Shipley Eastern bypass which will be good for the local economy,

alleviate congestion, and deal with these harmful emissions? The

honourable gentleman's perspicacity means that he's managed to weave a

local road question into these discussions. I think the only thing

for me to do is to meet with him. I am sure that the Minister is aware

of the new report, any journey is greener I Boss, ... Greener bosses

have reduced harmful emissions and brought wider social and economic

benefit, but given that both use in the UK as a whole has fallen by

around 7% in the last six years and in the last year mallets Jabal on

both commercial and local authorities are portable services,

isn't his government failing to support one of the most effective

way to tackle air pollution? It won't come as any surprise to know

that I travel on the bus when I am in nothing him, and my

mother-in-law's home to the city. I can speak with some authority about

bus journeys in Notting Hill. She is right that. But is a key part of

this and that is why we have made money available specifically the

cleaner buses. She is right as well that we need to encourage that is

part of lower emissions aims. Encouraging parents to leave their

cars at home and get their children and local public transport can make

a major impact to air quality, have you done any analysis into how much

free bus travel would cost, is this another underfunded label promised?

That is a bit wide of the substance of the question, therefore I think a

single sentence of eloquence from the Minister of State would suffice

on this moment. Buses are good, walking is good, cycling is good,

that is how I get to school. The Minister promised new eyes, so will

he news these new eyes to recognise that there are a lot of diesel users

in the UK, and rather by joining in the demonisation of hysterical media

about them, will he have a full enquiry into it will stop therefore,

posted approach to what remedies may be necessary. I think from my

immensely measured remarks earlier, the honourable gentleman will

recognise that I am not prepared to demonise anyone, certainly not

prepared to put at risk the well-being of people who need to

travel to work and to school and other opportunities, public services

and so on. Of course we need to be balanced in our approach to this. Mr

Speaker, I fully recognise the effect on local communities from

aircraft noise during the night, we are currently consulting on future

at night time restrictions to Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted,

including option that will reduce the amount of the airport are

allowed to make while ensuring that the benefits of night flights to the

economy are maintained. I hugely welcomed the work being done by the

Secretary State on this but I urge him to agree with me that quiet

periods off there a Suta example that were pure blighting the lives.

I am well aware of the pressures on my honourable friend and

neighbouring constituencies the weight route operate around Gatwick,

part of our consultations about exactly how we use as space as well

as how we limit the use of the night I was the aircrafts. I would

encourage him to take part in that consultation, but I do believe the

new technology can help as they can consider it a difference to this.

Can the Minister outlined plans... Can he ensure that any reduction of

flight will not adversely affect links or any... Mr Speaker this is

clearly very important indeed and I would simply say today that I am

very pleased that we were able to announce comic yesterday continuing

support for the flight from Derry to Stansted. That was an important

decision to take and we took it... I hope people in Northern Ireland were

welcomed the decision. Would my right honourable friend, whilst

acknowledging the growing importance of the package freight business,

never the less try to do more to ensure that the company is prominent

in this business replace what are often very ageing aircrafts with

more modern equipment, because these ad the noise factors in areas. ---

aggravate. I agree. I would like to see clear

incentives for airports to make sure the day use quiet aircraft. Could I

thank the Minister and his Department for the Londonderry-

London grouped? -- route. And could I pass on our thanks for a meeting

that I suggested she take place in the House, which helped resolve the

matter and we would now look forward to the effective marketing of

Abruzzo looking become a success beyond a two-year period that the

DSO applied. I would be happy to pass on those thanks to Lord Ahmad.

It is very much my hope the route will build up sufficiently and

become permanently commercial and will not need public support. To

most people, night flights include those that arrive in the early

hours. This affect the constituents in Henley very much, particularly

when landing in an easterly wind. To what extent will he take their views

into consideration? I am very sensitive to the issue of not simply

those people in the immediate approached the airport but there is

further away like his constituents, this is why I believe that better

use of airspace, using state-of-the-art technology rather

than old methods, will enable us to provide more respite for individual

communities affected by noise. Question seven. Mr Speaker, I will

answer this together with questions nine and ten. The Government is

considering potential impact on the border as part of preparations for

negotiating our departure of the EU. It is to say what arrangements will

be needed. But we are conscious of the interests of the transport

industry in future arrangements. We remain committed to putting

passengers at the heart of our transport policy. Does taking back

control of borders mean 23 million inbound passengers from the EU

passing through airports will be subject to full border checks? Is he

web research from the tourism industry Council which shows as we

would require UK Border Force sources to be increased by 200%? Can

he assure us those costs will be met from the ?350 million he promised to

the NHS each week? It is already the case that within the EU citizen

arrives, they have to show their passport. I don't see that changing

in the future. The reality is that since 2011, this Government has cut

the budget for the UK Border Force by 15%, despite having to cope with

an 11% increase in passenger numbers over the same period. This is having

an impact on passengers already. an impact on passengers already.

What discussions has he had with the Home Secretary to make sure that

neither passengers nor border security are prejudiced or

compromised after Brexit? Of course, he will know that one of the things

we have done in recent years is to significantly increase automation at

airports, dates at passports and this provides and effective way to

improve border control and live within our means. -- e-gates. Does

the Secretary of State believe service level agreements will need

to be revised? As the Prime Minister said, I would reiterate our desire

post Brexit is not to have long queues at our reporters but to have

sensible arrangements to allow people to travel to do business and

enable us to have controls on migration. Once the UK lease the EU,

the Bill... Thereby speeding up entry to the UK? As my honourable

friend knows, it will be a matter for this House post Brexit and this

Government to decide how best to manage our borders but I am sure my

honourable friend would wish to ensure that where appropriate, we

have the smoothest possible passage through our borders for people we

would wish welcome to our country. The Culture, Media and Sport select

committee discussed timeliness that would be required for

reconfiguration of airports. Does the Secretary of State -- has the

Secretary of State had discussed this? I discussed this in earlier

this week and will continue to consult carefully with the industry.

People arriving from all around the world today have to show passports

already when they arrive in the UK, so don't envisage the kind of

dramatic change that perhaps some are suggesting. It is likely that

queues will increase in a post Brexit UK, which will have an effect

on the UK pan-European tourism market. What assurances can he

provide that there will be as little disruption as possible and ensure

our tourism market, vital for jobs in the economy, will not be

adversely affected? I will simply say, the honourable lady is making

assumption I do not accept, people already have to show passports

before entering the country and I do not envisage a changing. I do not

envisage a situation where we suddenly create vast additional

queues at our borders. We want a smooth and streamlined process for

people who have the right to come here to do so and to be welcomed

here. Regarding ongoing discussions with UK ports and airports, what

additional discussions have taken place with the Treasury to encourage

inbound passengers by reducing VAT on tourism? The issue of taxation is

one for the project. Many representations have been made

across this House and across society to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

about what he may or may not do in his budget but a few she will have

to wait to see what he has in line for hours later in the year. EU

nationals arriving in the UK are currently processed faster due to

what is called a soft board approach, using special scanning.

Will the Secretary of State confirm his Government intends to continue

these measures after the UK has left the EU? We will decide detailed

arrangements as the months go by but it is not our intention to create

queues at borders, it will remain the case that people show passports

when they arrive in the UK. For people all around the world, who

come to the UK as tourists, visitors, to do business, there is a

warm welcome. Currently, EU nationals can use e-gates for

passports. Will these machines effectively become redundant and

does this Government intend to offer them second-hand to European

neighbours at bargain prices to recoup some of the cost? Actually, I

expect around the world more use of technology in the future. More

ability to move people through passport lanes in different

countries all around the world using technology. That is a change expect

to accelerate, not decelerate in future. The Government has no plans

to roll out tolls on existing roads. Successive governments have taken

the view that tolls occasionally justified. It is right that the user

pays, rather than the taxpayer because the user benefits. My

constituents in Liverpool will need a pay rise of ?1000 a year just to

stand still when the Mersey crossing tolls are introduced. Can I ask the

minister if you consider a scheme whereby those who can demonstrate

they are in permanent employment on the other side of the water, when

the toll is announced, will either have some kind of introduction or

perhaps a discount to reflect additional costs? As I said, it is

not unusual for governments to use not unusual for governments to use

toast to finance large crossings. I would rather be straightforward

about this because the honourable gentleman is a diligent and popular

member and one of my friends. I cannot do what he wants and I would

rather say that now. We have looked at this, we did consider whether we

could widen the discount scheme and we could not make it work, in terms

of cost effectiveness. So, I'd rather actually be absolutely frank

and say, no. Last week marked nine years since the SNP scrapped the

last of the transport tools in Scotland and since then, the average

commuter travelling on the Forth Bridge and the Tay Bridge has said

around ?2000 each. In the same time period, the average total pain

commuter in England and Wales will have paid out just under ?4000. If

the Government is serious about helping just about managing

families, I will the Secretary not reassess his transport talk policy?

Well, my goodness, Mr Speaker, what barefaced cheek from the SNP! They

did indeed cancel the tolls and they closed the crossings as a result

because they did not have enough money! They didn't have enough money

to make them work. We will publish the strategy shortly

but are not able yet to specify a precise date. They will we is a

beautiful path in my constituency, populated by cyclists and walkers

for the expansive views it gives over the DS Jeffrey. And of course

the pressure it affords and internationally renowned bird life.

The Government has committed money for its roads investment strategy.

But less for cycling and walking. What more will the Government do to

increase cycling and walking? We will publish our strategy shortly.

We're spending 2% of our Department's total budget during the

course of this Parliament on cycling. Just under ?1 billion out

of a total budget of ?50 billion. We want to make cycling and walking the

default choice for shorter journeys and I recognise all the points you

made about the pleasant area she represents. An extraordinary answer

from the minister because a transport question six weeks ago,

the Secretary of State told us we would not have long to wait. It is

honest a year since the consultation was launched. His Department seems

to have a problem with lateness. Private parking was over a year

late. Can the Secretary of State tell us, how many people in his

Department are working on this project? Or is it just the

Department for being late? That question did not quite capture the

honourable gentleman's customary generosity at the dispatch box. It

is clearly a complete load of nonsense because this Government is

investing in transport, more than any other Government in British

history. The reason we're slightly delayed on publishing this strategy

is because we have had so many people responding to the

consultation. This is a strategy very near its publication and I will

let the honourable gentleman known exactly when we will publish it

shortly. Question 13. Thank you. An issue worth waiting for. We are

committed to the accessibility of the rail network, currently 70% of

train fleets operate passenger services and meet modern

accessibility standards. Remaining vehicles need to be upgraded by

January 20 20. As the minister had a chance to read Muscular Dystrophy

UK's trailblazers end of the line report? Young disabled people have

identified accessibility to train stations and problems with the

advanced booking system. Will the Government committee looking at both

issues? Much of my time has been chairing parliamentary groups on

these issues and challenging the industry. I am well aware of the

report. It is worth pointing out, bookings are increasing by 7%

year-on-year. The real challenge for the industry at the moment is to

ensure those passengers who wish to just turn up and go getting the same

level of service as those who are booking through passenger assistance

and more than that, when passenger assistance does not work properly,

but there is adequate recourse for an ombudsman system to get redress,

which is not currently the case. Can the Minister confirm that the

availability of supervisors on Southern Rail is increasing? Can we

expect to see an improvement in services for disabled passengers?

Said to me, I'm keeping a careful eye on what is happening on GTR, in

terms of both official passenger assist bookings as well as the

unofficial turn up and go service. The office is conducting mystery

shopping exercises and I am keen to see the outcome of those but I want

to make sure that all passengers who travel on GTR get the service they

need from the on-board supervisors. Thank you. You will recall that six

weeks ago, I asked a question about experiences of disabled passengers.

I have subsequently been contacted by people who told me awful stories

that would shame all of those. Therefore, I want to ask the

Minister and raise the issue of the disability discrimination act, of

which this has come you rightly proud. Does this act apply to train

operating companies? I think we would all expect that the answer

would be yes, and if that is so what is the government are doing to make

sure that the train operating companies can allow passengers to

travel? I have been told there in the past disabled passengers were

built to turn up at the station and to travel in the guards' van like a

parcel. However unacceptable that is, we are taking that away. Does

the government expect that buying Courage in the guards' van like a

parcel. However unacceptable that is, we are taking that away. Does

the government expect that by including train operations to take

gods of trains, they are contributing towards a breach of the

discriminating act? I would be very concerned that any suggestion that

it would be appropriate for disabled patch is to be travelling in the

guards van. Most don't have a God and she travelled in. Like the

honourable lady I received a number of worrying complaint as well. All

train operating companies have to operate under licensing... That is

why they are doing a list of exercises. Over and above that I

want to make sure that where individual passengers have an

inadequate level of service they as well can have a route to go down to

see... Mr Speaker, I regularly meet with the Chancellor and plans for

the Spring Budget have been included in those discussions, you may

remember that my department was allocated over ?2 billion of

additional funding is part of the National productivity investment

bond at the Autumn Statement and my focus is to make the best possible

use of this but travellers passengers around the company. The

class in the bar you of the pound has led to steep... Will the

Secretary of State impress upon the Chancellor the need to avoid any

rise in fuel in the forthcoming budget? I am a proud that we as a

government, having inherited a fuel duty escalator from the party

opposite have actually been very good at keeping fuel duty down over

the years. He will also be aware is the rise in the oil price is one of

the pressures. The government has demonstrated how important is to be

thoughtful about motorist when it comes to costs. As my honourable

friend knows, one of the most beautiful parts of the country to

visit, can I ask him to push the lacklustre Welsh Labour government

to spend more money and provide improvements to make Wales said that

more people can discover what my honourable friend already knows. Mr

Speaker, as somebody who has holidayed in his constituency it is

indeed a lovely area and we would encourage people from around the UK

to visit. To that effect, he would of course be aware how important we

were got transport links to areas like his on the English side of the

border, we would always seek to make sure the right connectivity is in

place to support tourism, it is a shame that the Welsh Labour

government has proved so ineffective. Number 16, Mr Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker as at comprehensive review of taxi and

private high... We are currently considering all the recommendations

in that report and will be formally responding to the Lord commission

and announce our intentions. That is useful, but I concerned the concerns

of Stockton Borough Council, like taxi drivers, like the one who had

his licence revoked for inappropriate conduct of young

female... There are other examples of sex offenders doing likewise,

when will this loophole be close? Loopholes are being closed and we

will work further on this subject. But I would suggest, that we have a

further conversation about this outside this chamber. Mr Speaker,

the theme continues because last month to taxi drivers in Southend

who would been stripped by their licences were found to be once again

working in the town, because it has gone to another authority to get a

licence. The local Conservative councillor Rob responsible was

closed was saying... When they going to actually take some action? We are

actually strengthening the law in this area, and that is why there was

a government amendment to the policing and crime Bill made to

allow the issuing of statutory guidance to authorities. This is

obviously a work in process. It is a critical view taken by the Home

Office. Number, 18 cert. Mr Speaker my honourable friend is well aware

in the investment we made in the which affects his constituency and

mine to some degree. I know he's been an effective campaign but this

road and I look forward to working with him to complete the

improvements to it. Given that nearly 30 years ago, in 1988, the

then Transport Secretary promised to do with the entire length of the...

I know there are a series of schemes as he describes along the road,

particularly areas where the road could be duelled, he will also know

that highways England will look at the investment. I should meet the

honourable gentleman on the road, with highways England and my

officials to look at this, because I owe him and this House that at

least. Well I'm sure the image will be graphically captured for

posterity. Topical questions. Topic, number one Mr Speaker. You will be

aware that we are a government that takes big decisions and is ambitious

to the future of our country, this is an important week for my

department in terms of legislation, we will see the bus services Bill

back in this House to bring improvements to bus services across

the country. You will be aware this week that we introduced the vehicle

technology aviation Bill which ensures that we will be at the head

of the game when it comes to the new generation of vehicle technology, we

have published into the space built which will take is forward in new

technology. And this is the week that we see the completion of the

process of the HS2 Bill. An important time in the Department.

Could highways England scheme to the improvement is of a key vote in my

constituency involves spending a lot of money on a round about will react

the new digital carriageway between York and Malton. With the Minister

agree to meet with me and the a 64 growth partnership to discuss what

we can do to get the best scheme for local residents and the best by you

for the taxpayer? Mr Speaker, we are well aware of the importance of this

road to his constituency and to the economy of Yorkshire. I will be

happy to meet my honourable friend as will the roads minister alongside

me. We will ensure that progress into working this road continues as

we move to the start of the next investment period. The report of the

office of rail and road into highways England, revealed the road

investment strategy to being chaos. The agency is ?1 billion over

budget, 31 projects have more than doubled in cost and there is little

evidence that 60 major schemes can be delivered on time. This strategy

is beginning to look more like a fantasy wish list then a deliverable

plan. Will the Minister take this opportunity to try and reassure this

House that the road investment strategy is not the comedy of errors

that it looks like an act he will guarantee to deliver it on time and

on budget? Let's be clear about the road investment programme which is

the ?30 billion programme which is delivering improvements around the

country and is on track. It is not the disaster he says and I would

simply remind him, honourable members on this side of the House

will remember how ineffective 13 years of Labour government where, so

we will not be taking any lessons on them. Well, it is about time this

government took responsibility, Labour has been warning consistent

sleep that this government has been overpromising and under delivering

an investment in England's road network. We were promised the

biggest upgrade in a generation, but there is now warning that there is

the deterioration of England's roads. The number of people killed

and seriously injured on our roses already rising, so can the Minister

explained how he can guarantee road users safety and mitigate the

increased safety risks caused by his government's failures to manage your

investment in the road. Mr Speaker, the party opposite the Galacticos

wrote that their teen years, he needs to travel around the country

today and see the scheme that we are doing. Smart motorways, starting the

progress finally on the 8383, and developing the tunnel, there, as

well as smaller schemes around the country. Last week I was in

strategist seeing an important improvement to be a 50, and none of

that happened when they were in power, so it is frankly barefaced

cheek to hear them say what they are doing now. Also, in the Autumn

Statement we... I was hoping to ask some questions about space like, but

when some conspicuous on the stars some of us are stuck in the

government outside East Croydon waiting the Southern Rail two

letters in. I was wondering if he could tell us, how some of us can

get into London Bridge on time, not just how Tim Pekin getting space?

The problems on the Southern Rail network and not simply about the

trains but also about the track and infrastructure, that is why we're

spending ?300 million on things like Queen 's replacement, track

replacement, replacing the small things on the infrastructure that do

go wrong. --- points replacement. That is something we are moving

ahead with quickly and something that means he will spend less time

on the train outside East Croydon and more times in this House asking

about space. The Minister today has told us that he is pursuing the

interest of consumers, but can he explain why we still have no

timescale for UK drivers of Volkswagen cars to have them fixed.

I will he Pelissie win the United Kingdom government will be taking

responsibility as it faces legal action from the EU commission for

its poor response to the scandal? Let me be a little above the more

generous to the SNP, she is right and it is a matter for the whole

house to work together on. Because Volkswagen's behaviour has been

unacceptable. It is vitally important that we move ahead with

rigour, and with care. To make sure that consumers are properly dealt

with, by Volkswagen as a result of this unacceptable behaviour. Most of

East Anglia has 82 tracked railway at best, does my right honourable

friend except that it is very difficult to reconcile the ambitions

of the mayor to have increased frequency services do in a London

stations whilst there is a growing need for faster services to Norwich,

Cambridge, Stansted Airport, without providing extra track capacity at

key points? He is certainly right to observe that at any part in the

network we have to make choices over the stations that are served stop

that choice will involve Alta stations, verses in London stations,

I can ensure him that this is more than a worry... I'm sure that my

officials will benefit from his wisdom on this part of the network

and look forward to his meeting with them. Today marks another step

towards the national folly that is HS2. Can I begged this tech tree of

the, even at this late stage, here is a project that is out of control

in terms of expenditure, with the chief executive resigning, could he

change his mind? Invest this money in fast Network Rail in the north of

Inman and the NHS. Mr Speaker, it is not an either or. We're spending

money on improved services in the Manchester area and enabling more

services across the Pennines. And on the Northern Rail network we have

the most ambitious improvement plan seen in modern times. I am proud

what we're doing transport wise in the North of England. I would say

that if we are going to meet the capacity challenges of the future we

need to build a new railway line. And why wouldn't you build something

state-of-the-art? And that is the view of most people in this House.

The Minister of State Will Bacall that are meeting in December with

representatives from fuels, where jobs are under threat, can the

Minister invited us as to when he's going to make a decision and lift

the threat of redundancy? We are looking at these matters closely

following the consultation, he will know that I had a meeting with all

of those interests Terry interested and concerned in this matter,

recently. We will consider all these make a decision as soon as possible

eat. In light of this morning's release from government, what

guarantee does the Minister have any savings result from innocent... Will

be passed on drivers. We are working hard to ensure that the benefits of

technology and of improvement in road safety are passed through motor

insurance premiums to drivers, particularly working with younger

drivers and there is a research programme on this and I will write

to the honourable gentleman with the details of the work we undertaking.

I'm sure the whole house will be disappointed that my honourable

friend wasn't able to ask about space flight, so can my honourable

friend set out what steps he is taking to ensure the UK becomes the

world leader in commercial space flight? Mr Speaker, the final

frontier. Who better to take us there than Britain? We will lead the

way in commercial space flights as we set out this week. Mr Speaker, I

see you as Captain Kirk and me as Mr Spock and other parts will be played

by members of the party. I think it's safe to say that The Right

Honourable gentleman will always shine brightly on the outer reaches

of the galaxy! LAUGHTER

Mr Speaker. Like today at past transport questions, Minister Hayes

was very bullish about Volkswagen executives face incremental charges

for the diesel emissions scandal in the UK. How's that going? Well, it's

very important we work with the Germans on this. Because the tests

were done in Germany and they have much of the evidence that we need to

proceed with all that we are doing to force Volkswagen to do the right

thing. It's also important that we work with and support the private

prosecutors. I'm doing both and I will bring the results of that work

back to the house in due course. But you can be sure that I'm absolutely

determined to defend the interests of people against this soulless

corporate behaviour. A reference group has long campaigned for

investment in particularly my town of Hampshire, desperately in need of

modern roads. Can the Minister meet with me to secure extra funding? I

can hardly wait, Mr Speaker. Of the committee, supper, whatever the

honourable lady wishes, I will happily meet her and her friends to

consider these matters. Seeing the first train undergoing trials on the

existing Crossrail network was a proud moment for workers and indeed

the whole East Midlands rail supply chain. Given Bombardier's success

with the East Anglia franchise, does he share my hope that we will see

this train being deployed more widely across Britain? I have a

slightly different ambition, I have an ambition to see that train

deployed in other countries as well. I've already told the Japanese

transport Minister I think our trains are better and I think you

should buy some for those networks. Mr Speaker, back on planet Earth,

the reason Aslef ballot was clearly very disappointing and clearly a

bone of contention... Will the Secretary of State consider making a

performance indicator measure when in exceptional circumstances a train

leaves without that second person on it? Mr Speaker, I will happily look

carefully at that option. It's not my policy or the Government's policy

to remove people from trains. Ways of working are going to change in

the future but my view is that we're going to need more people rather

than fewer delivering a service to customers on our railway as demand

grows. Mr Speaker, 54% of all train delays in Scotland are due to the

Tory Government responsibility for Network Rail. Surely he must agree

with my colleagues here and in the Scottish Government that critical

functions such as capacity planning, legal and property Management

related to Scotland, should and be devolved to the Scottish Parliament?

Isn't the only reason why the Government is sitting on its hands

purely political and not because it is in the best interests of the

people of Scotland? The thing is, Mr Speaker, I've made the SMP -- seen

the SMB make such a hash of education in Scotland I don't trust

them with the transport system. I think we benefit from having a

national rail operator as part of the UK. Mr Speaker, is the Secretary

of State in a position to confirm that Bradford will be one of the

stations on the northern powerhouse rail? I imagine there is a very

strong case for that but we're waiting to see what the North have

do say an powerhouse rail but I myself would be very surprised if

Bradford did not feature on those plans. Can I support my honourable

friend were Cleethorpes in raising the issue of fuels and the 2% crop

cap and the danger that that might have on a very important local

business? Will the Minister meet with MPs cross party in the region

to look at this issue before determining what to do? Can I just

say I know how closely the honourable gentleman has worked with

colleagues across the house to prevent the interests of his

constituents -- protect the interests of his constituents and

others. Delighted to meet, of course. Would my right honourable

friend give the house an update on the proposals were Crossrail two and

if there is going to be any delay on what can be done to relieve

overcrowding on our trains like the one I was on this morning in the

meantime? I'm waiting for transport for London to deliver the business

case for Crossrail two, I am mixed betting that in the next few weeks.

But in the meantime we are taking action on capacity, most immediately

I will be at Waterloo station this afternoon to see one of the new

generation of trains on the routes that serve both our constituencies

over the coming months. With the works taking place at Waterloo over

the summer, it will be possible to have ten coach trains rather than

aid coach trains serving our networks and that is good for our

passengers. The demand for transport is currently consulting on the

airport's national policy statement. Why are residents in Chiswick,

Brentford and still are being told in that consultation that the

approach path to run rate three will be over their heads? And will hit

meet residents to explain the noise impact that runway three will cause

to my constituents? One thing to understand about airspace management

is that more precise technology will enable us to provide a much more

varied management on airspace in a way that minimises the impact on

communities, with much more precise flight paths. I think we've been

pretty clear in consulting all the areas that will be affected by the

airport expansion and we are expressing a desire from across this

house and across the areas affected for views and opinions to pass the

consultation. Order. Points of order ordinarily come later but if it is

read and not disputacious... We will hear it briefly. Thank you Mr

Speaker. In response to my earlier question the Minister was suggesting

that ending toll charges in Scotland would link to bridge being closed.

The bridge was repaired ahead of schedule. The Queensferry Crossing

has been completed on time and thing they began the under budget without

the need for tolls. Maybe the Minister for Hayes... I very much

doubt the Minister wishes to do so. The honourable lady, who is

well-informed and I imagine has a big vocabulary, has just feigned

ignorance of the word disputacious! I said the point of order should not

be disputacious but it was disputacious. So we should leave it

there. I'm not knowledgeable on those matters and more importantly I

have absolutely no responsibility for them myself, which is a great

source of relief for myself. If there are no points of order, before

we come to the urgent question, I have to notify the house in

accordance with the Royal assent act 1967 that Her Majesty has signified

her Royal assent to the following acts. Commonwealth development

Corporation act 2017, cultural property armed conflicts act 2017,

high-speed rail London to West Midlands act 2017. Points of order

Mr Speaker. Point of order, the Secretary of State. If you might

indulge me on that point, if I could thank everyone in the house who has

been involved in this passage, it has been a long and arduous process,

particularly those who served on the committee for both houses, and I

would like to express my thanks to them for what they have