:00:00. > :00:13.Order, order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport.
:00:14. > :00:17.Stuart MacDonald. Question number one, please, Mr Speaker. The
:00:18. > :00:22.government is carefully considering the potential impact as part of our
:00:23. > :00:25.preparations for negotiating our departure from the European Union.
:00:26. > :00:30.The DuPont is engaged with industry on this matter. It is too soon to
:00:31. > :00:37.say what arrangements will be in place. -- Department. But we are
:00:38. > :00:39.looking at future arrangements. We have had great opportunities for
:00:40. > :00:43.registered airlines including companies such as easyJet, applying
:00:44. > :00:48.largely unrestricted between the member states and within as well as
:00:49. > :00:54.from the EU to the US. Brexit could change that. Can he reassure
:00:55. > :01:01.passengers the UK will remain part of the open skies arrangement? As I
:01:02. > :01:04.said a moment ago, of course, we will be reaching that agreement in
:01:05. > :01:09.due course. We intend across the sectors, with haulage, aviation, to
:01:10. > :01:13.secure the best possible agreement for the future which will benefit
:01:14. > :01:17.those who seek to do business in the UK from elsewhere in the union and
:01:18. > :01:23.those who seek to do business elsewhere in the union from the UK.
:01:24. > :01:26.How important is it to make arrangements for the worst-case
:01:27. > :01:34.scenario, just to show how seriously our negotiating intent is? You will
:01:35. > :01:37.not be surprised to learn that of course the Government does take
:01:38. > :01:40.steps to prepare for all eventualities but we entered
:01:41. > :01:43.negotiations with good faith and intend to secure a good deal because
:01:44. > :01:48.we think it is in the interests of everybody in the UK and the European
:01:49. > :01:53.Union. Can the Secretary of State confirm the worst-case scenario is
:01:54. > :01:57.no arrangement at all? And he also confirm for airlines they have to
:01:58. > :02:01.schedule 12-18 months in advance and therefore can he confirm he has to
:02:02. > :02:08.resolve this within the next six months? I never speculate on these
:02:09. > :02:10.things. What I would say is I have detailed discussions with the
:02:11. > :02:14.aviation industry and have had in the last few weeks. I am aware of
:02:15. > :02:17.the challenges they face in their business models and the Government
:02:18. > :02:20.listens carefully to them about how best to approach this important
:02:21. > :02:25.sector in the course of negotiations. Thank you, Mr Speaker.
:02:26. > :02:31.Like the aviation sector, the maritime industry is heavily reliant
:02:32. > :02:37.on the EU. The shipping sector warned Brexit might cost the UK
:02:38. > :02:40.shipping companies the right to trade in EU coastal waters, meaning
:02:41. > :02:47.a heavy financial prize. What assurances will he give today that
:02:48. > :02:49.he will retain the same access and what discussions has he had with
:02:50. > :02:55.Scotland to discuss the implications? The government is
:02:56. > :02:58.focused on making sure of the best possible arrangements across the
:02:59. > :03:01.transport sector. We have regular discussions with the Scottish
:03:02. > :03:07.government on a wide variety of issues. What I would say, which I
:03:08. > :03:09.think is good news for all of us, is the UK flag is currently increasing
:03:10. > :03:16.in size again and that is something we would all welcome. The Prime
:03:17. > :03:21.Minister told the House yesterday she will, in her words, deliver
:03:22. > :03:26.certainty to UK businesses about the position of after Brexit. Without
:03:27. > :03:31.agreement in principle some companies are already warning new
:03:32. > :03:35.customer checks will gridlock road leading to the Channel ports.
:03:36. > :03:40.UK-based airlines are warning they might have to relocate bases across
:03:41. > :03:45.the Channel if the UK pulls out of the common aviation area. How and
:03:46. > :03:50.when is the minister going to deliver the certainty that these
:03:51. > :03:52.companies need now, rather than a ministerial aspiration that
:03:53. > :03:57.everything is going to be all right on the night? This is not simply
:03:58. > :04:02.about UK companies, because the vast majority of haulage based cabotage
:04:03. > :04:06.in the United Kingdom is International hauliers operating in
:04:07. > :04:08.the UK. So they have invested interest in making sure their
:04:09. > :04:12.politicians work with us to make sure the best possible arrangements
:04:13. > :04:16.for the future. That is what we will do and I'm confident other European
:04:17. > :04:22.governments will want the same. Question number two, Mr Speaker.
:04:23. > :04:25.Thank you, Mr Speaker. As I am sure the lady is aware Northern
:04:26. > :04:29.Powerhouse rail will provide faster and more frequent rail services
:04:30. > :04:33.across the region. We are committed to developing the scheme and working
:04:34. > :04:37.closely with transport for the north on potential route options and the
:04:38. > :04:43.cost and benefits, which will arrive with us by the end of 2017. I'm sure
:04:44. > :04:47.the Minister will be aware that Bradford has launched the next stop
:04:48. > :04:51.Brad Pitt campaign to secure an HS3 station in our city centre. Will the
:04:52. > :04:59.Minister John would made to support the Northern Powerhouse rail house
:05:00. > :05:06.station in Bradford? -- next stop Bradford campaign. I am aware of the
:05:07. > :05:10.campaign. The leader of the council has written to me. I'm grateful to
:05:11. > :05:13.receive about. I think it is important to stress Northern
:05:14. > :05:18.Powerhouse is not just about linking major cities in the north but also
:05:19. > :05:25.smaller towns and cities where it can be really improved with a
:05:26. > :05:28.significant degree. Is the Minister aware the recently published
:05:29. > :05:32.economic study on the east West trans-Pennine connectivity on behalf
:05:33. > :05:38.of Lancashire and Yorkshire finds reopening the Skipton rail route
:05:39. > :05:41.will boost prosperity across the north but failing to improve
:05:42. > :05:47.connectivity from east to west will, I quote, critically restrict the
:05:48. > :05:53.growth potential of the Pennine corridor economy, a key driver for
:05:54. > :05:57.the Northern Powerhouse? We will look at the importance of links,
:05:58. > :06:03.road and rail and I am very familiar and I'm sure he is with the Skipton
:06:04. > :06:06.campaign. I wish it well and I hope it features highly on all the local
:06:07. > :06:12.funding bids coming to the Department. Transport for the North
:06:13. > :06:16.has great potential in transforming the Northern economies. But what
:06:17. > :06:21.powers will it actually have? When will it become a statutory body?
:06:22. > :06:25.Will it have the same powers as transport for London? We continue to
:06:26. > :06:29.listen carefully to what powers we want to give transport for the
:06:30. > :06:32.North. I hope it is good to be placed on the statute in the future.
:06:33. > :06:38.We will make an announcement in June course. There is a lot we can do for
:06:39. > :06:41.transport for the North even now, working together on Smart ticketing,
:06:42. > :06:43.infrastructure improvements, transport for the North is
:06:44. > :06:50.successful already, whatever the spaces. There can be no doubt that
:06:51. > :06:55.the Government transport for the North has a plethora of plans and
:06:56. > :07:00.strategies and proposals. They are all wonderful. But can I ask the
:07:01. > :07:05.Minister, what mechanisms are actually in place to make sure all
:07:06. > :07:13.these plans are in fact turned into real action? Pierce right to
:07:14. > :07:18.identify the amount of creativity that exists in the North of England.
:07:19. > :07:22.-- he is right. In terms of new infrastructure. But it is important
:07:23. > :07:27.we remember the fact there is only a finite amount of money at any one
:07:28. > :07:31.time. That is why in the Department and the other devolved
:07:32. > :07:38.administrations and in transport for the North we have a very complex and
:07:39. > :07:41.I think sensible ways to judge the impact any particular piece of
:07:42. > :07:46.infrastructure will have had to calculate the benefit- cost ratio.
:07:47. > :07:53.Thank you. I had two letters from number three... Well done. Andrew
:07:54. > :07:56.Jones. I wish England acknowledged concerns about the safety
:07:57. > :07:59.performance of the Switch Island junction after the opening of the
:08:00. > :08:04.brooms crossroad and has since implemented measures, interim
:08:05. > :08:06.measures, to improve safety. They also added bite options for more
:08:07. > :08:12.safety improvement and I'm discussing them with the honourable
:08:13. > :08:15.gentleman's local council, including changing traffic signs and
:08:16. > :08:21.introducing gantries to make the layout more clear. I had two letter
:08:22. > :08:24.from the Minister of State last week. One described work on the M25
:08:25. > :08:29.and the other about the island it describes. We know the Government
:08:30. > :08:31.has a Surrey first approach to spending money. My constituents
:08:32. > :08:46.would like was told it will be next year. This
:08:47. > :08:52.needs to be much sooner. Safety must come first. I would have thought the
:08:53. > :08:54.honourable gentleman would have been delighted to hear about the range of
:08:55. > :08:59.plans we have right across the country. Especially for this
:09:00. > :09:02.project, the funding has been identified, they are working through
:09:03. > :09:06.various options, they have to work out what is feasible on the planning
:09:07. > :09:12.and design site and increment a plan in the early part of 2018, but his
:09:13. > :09:17.concerns on road safety are part of the consideration. No, no, no. It
:09:18. > :09:22.would have to be the biggest junction in human history to stretch
:09:23. > :09:26.from Sefton in of England to Stroud in Gloucestershire. It doesn't. We
:09:27. > :09:30.will accommodate him at a later stage. Now he can resume his seat.
:09:31. > :09:39.We are grateful to the fella. Ian Stewart. Question four, Mr Speaker.
:09:40. > :09:42.The Department continues to work with the industry to explore what
:09:43. > :09:49.further improvements can be made to subdivide fares. The plan will drive
:09:50. > :09:52.improvements for passengers, including removing jargon, improving
:09:53. > :09:53.vending machines and trialling approaches to simplify the fare
:09:54. > :10:02.structure. Thank you, many of my constituents
:10:03. > :10:06.travel frequently by train, but not every day and not always at peak
:10:07. > :10:10.hours. Therefore, the traditional season ticket is not appropriate for
:10:11. > :10:14.them. Can the Minister tell me what new ticket products he is
:10:15. > :10:19.encouraging talks to introduce to meet and encourage this demand?
:10:20. > :10:22.Well, he is quite right to raise the issue of part-time season tickets.
:10:23. > :10:26.It is something of personal importance to me as well. I
:10:27. > :10:29.encourage all train operating companies to consider whether the
:10:30. > :10:34.range of products they have on offer actually meets their customer needs.
:10:35. > :10:38.With regards to his own route to Milton Keynes, I am sure he will be
:10:39. > :10:41.pleased to know that the next West Midlands franchise will require a
:10:42. > :10:48.part-time flexible season-ticket to be offered by the winning bidder. I
:10:49. > :10:52.wonder whether the Government could also simplify the process of
:10:53. > :10:58.compensation for customers when a train is cancelled? It is so often
:10:59. > :11:01.that the school run train is cancelled, or First Great Western
:11:02. > :11:04.trains from London to Cardiff, there is no automatic compensation on
:11:05. > :11:08.either of those lines, which other providers give. Why can't we have
:11:09. > :11:17.automatic compensation when a train is cancelled? I would say briefly
:11:18. > :11:20.that we need to ensure that whenever a passenger makes a claim for
:11:21. > :11:24.compensation they can demonstrate they were on the training question.
:11:25. > :11:28.Automatic compensation can be achieved if you have a season ticket
:11:29. > :11:33.or an advance purchase tickets. I would also make the observation that
:11:34. > :11:38.compensation arrangements on the Wales and border franchise are a
:11:39. > :11:41.matter for the Welsh assembly. One aspect of the ticketing system and
:11:42. > :11:45.the compensation is that a lot of the money paid by Network Rail to
:11:46. > :11:50.the rail companies does not actually reach the passengers. That is quite
:11:51. > :11:53.scandalous. What action is the minister taking to ensure that the
:11:54. > :11:57.money does in fact end up in the passenger bank accounts? Well, we
:11:58. > :12:01.have a fruitful discussion on schedule eight payments in the
:12:02. > :12:05.transport select committee last week and I explained at some length why
:12:06. > :12:11.the two are not directly contribute. He will have heard that the chief
:12:12. > :12:14.executive said that they are trying to make payments more transparent
:12:15. > :12:16.and more related to what the passenger themselves has
:12:17. > :12:17.experienced. I look forward to hearing what their recommendations
:12:18. > :12:29.are in due course. Mr Speaker, the Government only sets
:12:30. > :12:32.noise flight restrictions at night at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
:12:33. > :12:35.We believe that noise is best managed locally, so we don't monitor
:12:36. > :12:39.the number of night flights outside of those three airports. At Scottish
:12:40. > :12:43.airports, the powers to set night flight restrictions and other noise
:12:44. > :12:46.controls are devolved and lie with Scottish ministers. Thank you for
:12:47. > :12:53.your answer. I do acknowledge that the night flight proposals extend
:12:54. > :12:55.only to the London airports. But given anticipated growth in night
:12:56. > :13:04.flights generally, does that not seem rather short-sighted? On one
:13:05. > :13:07.hand, we want growth in airports, but we have to recognise the rights
:13:08. > :13:14.of constituents everywhere, not just in Scotland? Well, this is clearly a
:13:15. > :13:17.live issue for people around airports. I think the airspace
:13:18. > :13:20.modernisation programme will provide additional tools to improve things.
:13:21. > :13:24.I assume she is not asking me to take back powers from the Scottish
:13:25. > :13:27.Government to regulate night flights to Scottish airports, otherwise I
:13:28. > :13:32.think she will have to talk to her colleagues in Edinburgh. Talking
:13:33. > :13:37.about regional airports, what plans does the government have for
:13:38. > :13:41.nationalising regional airports? Well, we have no plans to
:13:42. > :13:45.nationalise regional airports. In some cases, local authorities, or
:13:46. > :13:47.local authorities, in partnership with private sector, control
:13:48. > :13:51.regional airports. That is a for local authorities and for the
:13:52. > :13:57.current and past owners of the airports. We have no plans to
:13:58. > :14:00.nationalise airports. Does the Minister acknowledge that whilst it
:14:01. > :14:03.is important to ensure that international flights to regional
:14:04. > :14:06.airports are facilitated, that it is equally important that there is not
:14:07. > :14:09.unbearable disruption to neighbourhoods? How does the
:14:10. > :14:15.Minister believe that this balance is being achieved within the current
:14:16. > :14:18.monitoring process? I think the big difference that will come from the
:14:19. > :14:22.airspace modernisation programme is that, by moving from systems that
:14:23. > :14:27.are 50 years out of date, to ones that use the most modern technology,
:14:28. > :14:31.it would be possible to manage approaches and departure puffs from
:14:32. > :14:33.airports in a more exact way, to provide more variation for local
:14:34. > :14:37.communities and to deliver a much smarter way of managing aviation as
:14:38. > :14:51.a whole. The Department for communities and
:14:52. > :14:55.the has responsibility for off-street parking. I have had
:14:56. > :14:59.discussions with my honourable friend, the member for Nuneaton, and
:15:00. > :15:01.we have further meeting is being planned. Officials from my
:15:02. > :15:11.department also have regular contact with officials from DCLG and the
:15:12. > :15:17.DVLA counterpart. Motorists must be able to challenge unfair parking
:15:18. > :15:26.fines. When my constituents were punished by Xl Parking's Paul
:15:27. > :15:37.signings, many were forced to come to me to have any chance of a refund
:15:38. > :15:41.will stop the appeals service has proved successful, does this company
:15:42. > :15:45.live up to its name? I can tell the honourable gentleman that what we
:15:46. > :15:51.are discussing will be the role of the DVLA within that. In terms of
:15:52. > :15:55.supplying driver information, but also for consideration is the vigour
:15:56. > :15:58.with which the codes of practice for the accredited trade associations
:15:59. > :16:02.are enforced. The objective is to make sure that while recognising
:16:03. > :16:05.there are many good parking companies, there are some whose
:16:06. > :16:09.standards of customer service do not meet expectations. We had a very
:16:10. > :16:12.good debate on this in Westminster last week and we look forward to
:16:13. > :16:17.standing up for consumers to make sure they get a better deal. The
:16:18. > :16:20.British parking Association represents many of the operators of
:16:21. > :16:23.private car parks. The minister just refer to their code of practice for
:16:24. > :16:29.the industry. What discussions has he had with them about improving
:16:30. > :16:34.performance of parking operations? I have met with the British parking
:16:35. > :16:37.Association. We will be having further meetings. It is all about
:16:38. > :16:42.making sure that they do tackle their independent appeals process
:16:43. > :16:45.and codes of practice, they work in behalf of consumers. That is our
:16:46. > :16:50.objective and that is what we will be taken forward in my discussions.
:16:51. > :16:59.A constituents on mine, Lisa Smith, was given a ticket for parking on
:17:00. > :17:06.the line. Another sort a city pound fine escalated to ?180, with threats
:17:07. > :17:09.of court action quickly. A disabled constituent who had a blue badge
:17:10. > :17:13.that was out of date by one week was given a fine. When other government
:17:14. > :17:16.The Going to bring forward legislation to deal with rogue
:17:17. > :17:20.parking companies and those that rip off British motorists? That was a
:17:21. > :17:24.point that the honourable gentleman made in the debate that we had last
:17:25. > :17:30.week. I can't tell him when DCLG will be responding to the
:17:31. > :17:35.consultation. I can tell him we will be working with DVLA and DCLG from a
:17:36. > :17:41.department perspective, to make sure we can do all we can to make sure
:17:42. > :17:46.that the consumer gets a better deal when tackling some of the bigger
:17:47. > :17:49.rogue parking companies. Mr Speaker, last week in Westminster Hall the
:17:50. > :17:55.Minister told me that the provision of DVLA data to private car parking
:17:56. > :17:59.companies is not subsidised. Yet a House of Commons Library report, and
:18:00. > :18:05.a transport committee report from 2015, stated it charges ?2.50 for
:18:06. > :18:09.each inquiry, it costs the DVLA to pounds 84p to process each request.
:18:10. > :18:15.The difference in the cost of the service last year was a shortfall of
:18:16. > :18:20.around ?700,000. Will he publish current figures to back up his
:18:21. > :18:27.claim, or is the taxpayer in deed the disgraceful practices of private
:18:28. > :18:33.companies such as Smart Parking, in many constituencies, including my
:18:34. > :18:38.own? The charges ?2.50 for the data. It is basically set on a cost
:18:39. > :18:41.recovery basis. It is not possible to predict entirely accurately into
:18:42. > :18:44.the future how many claims they will be during a financial year. Some
:18:45. > :18:50.years there could be a small deficit, some years there could be a
:18:51. > :18:53.small surplus. As I undertook to colleagues in the debate last week,
:18:54. > :18:59.I will put the data into a letter in the House of Commons Library. Mr
:19:00. > :19:02.Speaker, we have heard about the Westminster Hall debate last night.
:19:03. > :19:04.We had complaints from members across the country about the
:19:05. > :19:09.practices of cowboy parking operators. Extraordinary, in that
:19:10. > :19:13.debate, the Honourable Member for North East Somerset revealed
:19:14. > :19:15.hitherto undiscovered socialist tendencies by demanding the
:19:16. > :19:20.government act and introduce regulation. These cowboy operators
:19:21. > :19:24.need the data to fleece their victims. Can the Minister tell me
:19:25. > :19:28.how many operators have actually been struck off for poor practice?
:19:29. > :19:32.After years of dithering, when is the Government going to step in to
:19:33. > :19:37.protect innocent motorists? There were a viewpoint is that I will
:19:38. > :19:42.related to my honourable friend from Somerset, whose socialist tendencies
:19:43. > :19:46.will be a surprise to him. In terms of suspensions, it is 18. I cannot
:19:47. > :19:48.answer for the DCLG and when they will respond to the consultation.
:19:49. > :20:01.Number seven, Mr Speaker. For a safe, efficient railway, from
:20:02. > :20:04.the office of rail and road, the longer term, the Company has reduced
:20:05. > :20:09.the cost of the railway significantly and reliability has
:20:10. > :20:12.improved. The trend in spending is broadly stable. It is vital that the
:20:13. > :20:16.company continues to drive efficiency to ensure a good service
:20:17. > :20:23.to passengers, while reducing the burden on passengers and taxpayers.
:20:24. > :20:26.The overhead line equipment on East Coast mainline route is in urgent
:20:27. > :20:31.need of renewal, having been installed in the 1970s and 80s. We
:20:32. > :20:33.already know that there are six times higher spending in the south
:20:34. > :20:40.and north on rail transport infrastructure. We also seem to have
:20:41. > :20:44.a East- West divide. East Coast has received ?3 billion less than that
:20:45. > :20:47.of the West. Will the Government bring forward their funding to
:20:48. > :20:52.upgrade East Coast mainline infrastructure, since passenger
:20:53. > :20:56.performance measures are now at 25.1%, due to overhead line failure,
:20:57. > :21:02.and, in layman 's terms, it means my constituents journeys are being
:21:03. > :21:08.delayed and seriously diverted. I should have predicted that she would
:21:09. > :21:13.raise the issue of overhead line element. I have already met with Mr
:21:14. > :21:18.McIntosh to discuss this issue. Here's looking at how he can improve
:21:19. > :21:21.reliability of overhead lines, particularly with high winds and
:21:22. > :21:26.heavy storms, which often cause a problem. We are looking at
:21:27. > :21:30.vegetation management near the overhead lines, track geometry and
:21:31. > :21:37.reliability of system tension to improve high winds. With an
:21:38. > :21:40.investment in maintenance, passengers in south-east London
:21:41. > :21:43.desperately need investment in rolling stock to deal with the
:21:44. > :21:46.serious overcrowding on the line. Will the Minister tell the house
:21:47. > :21:51.whether he is looking favourably on the revised bid that south-eastern
:21:52. > :21:54.have put forward? I am sure he has already noticed the consultation
:21:55. > :21:57.that was released last week on the future of the south-east and
:21:58. > :22:01.franchise. It clearly put capacity front and centre. It is also right
:22:02. > :22:05.to point out that we received a proposal from south-eastern that
:22:06. > :22:12.came forward, as we spoke to a personal request from me. We had a
:22:13. > :22:16.request for a week and we look carefully to make sure it makes
:22:17. > :22:20.sense and adds up. I hope there will be hitting the network as soon as
:22:21. > :22:26.possible. Part of the proposal for new rolling stock involve the
:22:27. > :22:32.transfer of class 377 trains from GDR. I have been told those trains
:22:33. > :22:36.will be there from Monday and they will be standing empty at the
:22:37. > :22:39.Grosvenor sidings outside Victoria Station. It will be adding insult to
:22:40. > :22:43.injury to my constituents, sitting on a crowded train, if they are
:22:44. > :22:50.passing through empty carriages that ought to be helping them. Will the
:22:51. > :22:57.Minister please fix this soon? Well, here is entirely right to point out
:22:58. > :23:00.that in this regard, both franchises, they should be working
:23:01. > :23:04.closely together. They have a similar parent company and they have
:23:05. > :23:07.rolling stock that they need. I expect a solution to this problem.
:23:08. > :23:14.We have had a proposal, I wanted to see it introduced as soon as
:23:15. > :23:20.possible. As we move towards the post-Brexit world, and Scottish
:23:21. > :23:23.Parliament is supposed begetting new powers, will the government might go
:23:24. > :23:26.do something already in their gift, devolve the power of network radio
:23:27. > :23:29.Scotland so the Scottish Government Kante controlled investment,
:23:30. > :23:36.maintenance, delivery and programme in Scotland? I am happy to answer
:23:37. > :23:39.this question each month when we have transport questions. We looked
:23:40. > :23:41.at it carefully in the Smith Commission, there was no consensus
:23:42. > :23:49.and we are not taking the proposal forward. The Government is not
:23:50. > :23:53.setting national targets and is not considering reinstating them. We do
:23:54. > :23:56.not believe that targets will provide further persuasion on the
:23:57. > :24:06.importance of road safety. It is already at the heart of departmental
:24:07. > :24:11.thinking. Is the Minister aware that between September 15 and September
:24:12. > :24:17.16 there was a 2% increase in deaths on the road, and a 6% increase on
:24:18. > :24:24.casualties? In my constituency Blackburn, there is a 49% higher
:24:25. > :24:28.than national average of car user casualties. Shockingly, 102% higher
:24:29. > :24:37.than the national average of children's casualties. Between 2010,
:24:38. > :24:43.and 2015, the number of dedicated road traffic police officers in
:24:44. > :24:52.England and Wales outside the Matt has fallen by eight quarter, to
:24:53. > :24:57.3501. Does the Minister see a direct link between reduced capacity to
:24:58. > :24:58.enforce road laws and the annual increases in road deaths and serious
:24:59. > :25:08.casualties? I have obviously considered this
:25:09. > :25:13.matter and look at road safety data on an annual basis. In terms of
:25:14. > :25:16.enforcement how police use of resources is a matter for individual
:25:17. > :25:21.authorities and Crime Commissioner 's. As the Inspectorate of
:25:22. > :25:26.Constabulary has made clear, there is no simple link between officer
:25:27. > :25:29.numbers and crime level. The key is the output achieved rather than
:25:30. > :25:39.measuring how many they are. It is important to point out in 2015 we
:25:40. > :25:42.have the second lowest road safety killed and seriously injured data in
:25:43. > :25:48.British Road history. It is positive and we are working to make our roads
:25:49. > :25:58.even save her. Thank you very much. -- even more safe.
:25:59. > :26:11.Cyclists in Stroud, and Sefton, for that matter... They are crying out
:26:12. > :26:14.to make sure that they can go around roundabouts and across junctions
:26:15. > :26:21.safely. Will the Minister take that into account in terms of national
:26:22. > :26:28.transport planning? Most certainly. I am acutely aware of the impact of
:26:29. > :26:33.cycling infrastructure on road safety. It is part of our
:26:34. > :26:36.consideration. We were hoping to launch a cycling and investment
:26:37. > :26:39.strategy last week, but there was a change to the timetable of
:26:40. > :26:48.government announcements Portbury obvious reasons. Following on from
:26:49. > :26:52.that question what about the addressing of traffic lights and
:26:53. > :26:57.pedestrian crossings? This is becoming a major problem in central
:26:58. > :27:01.London. That comes down to activity undertaken to enforce the rules and
:27:02. > :27:08.also educating cyclist about the importance of following the road
:27:09. > :27:13.safety directions. I am aware of cyclists who go through red lights
:27:14. > :27:18.and it is not safe. It is part of our education campaign to help
:27:19. > :27:27.cyclists know what it is to behave on our roads. Mr Speaker, two people
:27:28. > :27:38.died in November on behalf of macro 52, in an urban part of my
:27:39. > :27:41.constituency. -- the A2. There is clearly a real problem with
:27:42. > :27:47.speeding, people racing at very high speed. Will the minister be so good
:27:48. > :27:52.as to meet with my constituents Tony Smith, who organised a petition only
:27:53. > :27:58.on highways England to introduce on highways England to introduce
:27:59. > :28:04.speed regulation measures? We would be very grateful for that meeting to
:28:05. > :28:09.advance of the campaign. I meet with local road safety campaigners on a
:28:10. > :28:15.regular basis. And I particularly meet families who have lost loved
:28:16. > :28:18.ones in road safety incidents. These are some pretty difficult meetings
:28:19. > :28:25.but I would be happy to meet with the honourable lady and her
:28:26. > :28:28.constituent. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Road safety targets were introduced
:28:29. > :28:31.by the Thatcher government in 1980 at a time when death and serious
:28:32. > :28:37.injury on the roads were at horrendous levels. The numbers fell
:28:38. > :28:41.consistently until 2011 when the Coalition government abolished
:28:42. > :28:48.targets almost at the same time as the grants for speed cameras.
:28:49. > :28:53.Surprisingly, the numbers have increased. I accept we are nowhere
:28:54. > :28:57.near the levels of 1980. But if it is your loved one, your child, that
:28:58. > :29:01.does not matter. The last time the minister was asked about Busey said
:29:02. > :29:08.he was open to any useful ideas on how to turn the trend. -- asked
:29:09. > :29:11.about this he said. Road safety targets, decreasing the number of
:29:12. > :29:14.deaths and injuries on the roads, they did work and at the moment
:29:15. > :29:23.nothing big and seems to be doing is reversing this trend. -- the
:29:24. > :29:28.Government seems to be doing. If you look at the action the Government is
:29:29. > :29:35.undertaking, the drug driving legislation is, increasing mobile
:29:36. > :29:38.phone penalties and so on, our efforts to take road safety further
:29:39. > :29:43.is significant. If policy-making was as simple as setting targets, Gordon
:29:44. > :29:47.Brown would have left a very government and nobody pretends he
:29:48. > :29:54.did that. Question number nine, Mr Speaker. Noise is measured around
:29:55. > :29:58.Heathrow by a set of monitors to make sure of effective monitoring,
:29:59. > :30:01.we have instructed the aviation authority to validate data from
:30:02. > :30:06.these monitors and annual reports are published on the basis of this
:30:07. > :30:11.information. I thank him for that answer. Currently planes are flying
:30:12. > :30:16.at too low and altitude, causing excessive noise pollution over homes
:30:17. > :30:19.and schools in my constituency. Will he meet with me to discuss how the
:30:20. > :30:25.new noise commission can better prevent medically unsafe noise
:30:26. > :30:32.levels from aircraft flying over residential areas? I am very well
:30:33. > :30:35.aware of the concerns of her constituents and others around the
:30:36. > :30:40.aircraft like the a 380 as it comes into Heathrow Airport. We need to
:30:41. > :30:46.get this right. I hope it will be helped by the Essbase modernisation
:30:47. > :30:54.programme. We are pressing ahead with the commission on civil
:30:55. > :30:56.aviation. -- airbase. We have had a number of sensible thoughts about
:30:57. > :31:02.how to address the problem and I would be happy to meet with her to
:31:03. > :31:06.discuss the issue. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Thousands of my
:31:07. > :31:11.constituents will live under a very loud noise environment if and when
:31:12. > :31:16.the third runway goes ahead that they did not at the moment. I
:31:17. > :31:21.welcome the campaign group Brentford and Hounslow stop Heathrow
:31:22. > :31:24.expansion. Will the Government insist it the third runway goes
:31:25. > :31:33.ahead that Heathrow matches the Gatwick of to compensate all council
:31:34. > :31:39.tax payers within the 57 contour to pay ?1000 per annum? I don't think
:31:40. > :31:43.it is a bad comparison between airports. At Heathrow we have a
:31:44. > :31:51.world beating package of compensation for those affected.
:31:52. > :31:55.Which combined with the rapid change with new aircraft, which are much
:31:56. > :31:59.quieter than what we have seen before, and alongside that, plans
:32:00. > :32:02.for the modernisation of airspace, and I think the need to have the
:32:03. > :32:07.best possible angles of approach into Heathrow to minimise the impact
:32:08. > :32:10.on local residents, I think collectively we are taking the right
:32:11. > :32:14.approach to what I know is a difficult issue for her and others
:32:15. > :32:19.and we try to get the right balance. Does he agree that one of the best
:32:20. > :32:24.ways to reduce congestion and air and noise pollution would be better
:32:25. > :32:27.use of regional airports? Does he agree that reducing air passenger
:32:28. > :32:33.duty would be a good incentive for this? I strongly support the
:32:34. > :32:38.regional airports. There are some great success stories at regional
:32:39. > :32:41.airports, including, I suspect, in his own regional airport, Birmingham
:32:42. > :32:46.airport, which has been very successful in recent years. But I am
:32:47. > :32:48.afraid he has to make representations about air passenger
:32:49. > :32:53.duty to the Chancellor at Treasury questions. Can the secretary of
:32:54. > :32:57.state explain why the consultation on the draft National policy
:32:58. > :33:01.statement promoted improved certainty of respite from aircraft
:33:02. > :33:05.noise from an expanded Heathrow, but fails to mention it would be reduced
:33:06. > :33:12.from eight hours a day to only six, or even four hours? We have tried to
:33:13. > :33:19.set out in broad terms the impact of the change. It is certainly the case
:33:20. > :33:22.that compared with a fully mixed mode operation at Gatwick, Heathrow
:33:23. > :33:27.across three runways can offer respite in a way that was not
:33:28. > :33:33.assumed by the airport commissioner in considering both proposals. The
:33:34. > :33:35.impact on neighbouring communities is one factor among many the
:33:36. > :33:43.commission considered and the Government did, as well. Thank you,
:33:44. > :33:47.Mr Speaker. No assessment has been made on the merits of establishing a
:33:48. > :33:50.road collision investigation unit. There are well established
:33:51. > :33:54.investigation units in the police service and effective ways to
:33:55. > :33:58.support conclusions and outcomes. The government does fund a programme
:33:59. > :34:02.of detailed investigations under the road accident in depth study in
:34:03. > :34:07.conjunction with police forces, coroners and hospitals. He knows my
:34:08. > :34:11.interest in this as chair of the International Council for road
:34:12. > :34:20.safety research. There is no doubt we have an investigation unit for C,
:34:21. > :34:24.air and rail. -- the seas. Across the board they are in favour of such
:34:25. > :34:29.a unit being set up. We do not think it will be costly, it will be
:34:30. > :34:35.effective. Will he think again? I am aware of his long established
:34:36. > :34:41.interest in road safety as a campaigner for stock I refer back to
:34:42. > :34:44.the earlier incident. We have got well-established investigations in
:34:45. > :34:50.the police service. --. I refer back to the earlier incident. Collisions
:34:51. > :34:53.have a range of causes but one is undoubtedly the poor condition of
:34:54. > :34:57.local roads. The Minister will be aware of the survey published this
:34:58. > :35:01.week, showing one in six will not be fit for purpose in five years. And
:35:02. > :35:09.the none of potholes per authority fell 19% last year. -- the number of
:35:10. > :35:15.potholes. Will he accept a short-term fix is no substitute for
:35:16. > :35:20.proper resurfacing which for most roads happens only once every 55
:35:21. > :35:24.years? The condition of local roads is the responsibility of the local
:35:25. > :35:31.highways authority. We are keen to support them. I recognise there is a
:35:32. > :35:35.backlog. I have seen projections on how it -- how much it will cost to
:35:36. > :35:39.fill. We have allocated record amounts of money to support the
:35:40. > :35:43.authorities, at over 6 billion in this Parliament, including ?250
:35:44. > :35:51.million specifically to help fix potholes. Number 11, Mr Speaker.
:35:52. > :35:57.Thank you, Mr Speaker. The government has an ambitious strategy
:35:58. > :36:01.for tackling congestion across the country. In oxygen it includes
:36:02. > :36:07.investing 35 million for public transport improvement on the A40.
:36:08. > :36:11.Improvement for Didcot station, car park expansion and investing ?9.4
:36:12. > :36:14.million in the next financial year to reduce congestion at key
:36:15. > :36:21.locations across the county. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Congestion between
:36:22. > :36:24.Whitby and Oxford causes daily misery for commuters and restricts
:36:25. > :36:30.the comic growth of this vital dynamic area. It is vital a complete
:36:31. > :36:34.solution is found. While ?35 million for the public transport solution is
:36:35. > :36:36.welcome, can the Minister tell me what steps the garment will take to
:36:37. > :36:43.provide funding for a complete solution to the congestion on this
:36:44. > :36:46.busy road? -- government. He speaks of vigorously on the behalf of his
:36:47. > :36:50.constituency. We recognise the importance of the local roads to the
:36:51. > :36:54.economic growth in the area. That is why we are supporting the transit
:36:55. > :36:59.scheme with 35 million of local funding for the corridor. I would
:37:00. > :37:01.encourage local partners to continue working together to explore more
:37:02. > :37:06.options to address the issues along this stretch. I would be happy to
:37:07. > :37:12.discuss any of the options with my honourable friend. I'm afraid
:37:13. > :37:16.Newcastle is too far away and! It the members would like to come in on
:37:17. > :37:19.some other questions. The road is not that big. David Hanson. Number
:37:20. > :37:28.12, Mr Speaker. The Government is investing in major
:37:29. > :37:33.signal renewals in North Wales to improve reliability on the line.
:37:34. > :37:36.After years of waiting, this will improve connectivity between North
:37:37. > :37:43.Wales, West Cheshire, and Liverpool, including John Lennon airport. The
:37:44. > :37:45.recently announced fund will support local authority investment on the
:37:46. > :37:51.corridor between Chester and Wrexham. I am grateful. The Minister
:37:52. > :37:54.knows I support all of these initiatives. Can he look at the
:37:55. > :37:58.letter sent to him by Conservative and Labour members of Parliament on
:37:59. > :38:02.behalf of the Mersey Alliance and Cheshire East Council to look at the
:38:03. > :38:08.developers of HS2 and the harbour at Crewe. If he can build on that
:38:09. > :38:12.progress on the half of all of us in the region will stop I know about
:38:13. > :38:14.the letter. I discussed the issue gas --.
:38:15. > :38:24.--. I discussed the issue yesterday. We will be bringing forward our
:38:25. > :38:31.thoughts shortly but I assure him that it is very much top of my mind
:38:32. > :38:37.in the Department. Mid Wales has difficulty with transport links in
:38:38. > :38:42.North, South and indeed to England. I can assure you it is worth the
:38:43. > :38:45.journey and the difficulty in getting there. What can he do to
:38:46. > :38:52.make sure road links are improved in mid Wales? We will do our bit on the
:38:53. > :38:56.English side of the border. We are spending more money than ever before
:38:57. > :38:58.on the road network in England. But I fear he will have to look to
:38:59. > :39:04.Cardiff for improvements which will provide that for his constituency.
:39:05. > :39:10.It is a lovely part of the country and all of us would of course want
:39:11. > :39:15.to visit it. Mr Derek Twigg. The Minister mentioned my campaign for
:39:16. > :39:21.many years. It opens many possibilities. Can I ask, not least,
:39:22. > :39:24.the conductivity with lawsuit Wales, -- North Wales, will he look at the
:39:25. > :39:31.importance of reopening the station and talk to the new regional Maher
:39:32. > :39:44.about how that might be enacted upon quickly? -- Mayor. I had a meeting
:39:45. > :39:47.with the man that I hope will be the next Mayor, the Conservative
:39:48. > :39:49.candidate! He has ambitious plans to improve the structure in and around
:39:50. > :39:59.the Merseyside region. On the 1st of March, the Department
:40:00. > :40:03.announced the three companies who are short listed to bid for the next
:40:04. > :40:07.East Midlands franchise. A public consultation will be held in very
:40:08. > :40:09.short due course, followed by the publication of the invitation to
:40:10. > :40:15.tender and the stakeholder briefing document. I welcome that answer. In
:40:16. > :40:21.the context of the work on the franchise, can the Minister reassure
:40:22. > :40:25.me and my constituents that when did you franchises awarded, my
:40:26. > :40:29.constituents will see new, modern Rolling stock capable of operating
:40:30. > :40:34.on diesel and electric lines on this route, and will see later services
:40:35. > :40:41.on Sunday services operating on the popular Ivanhoe line? He is quite
:40:42. > :40:47.right to campaign on behalf of the Ivanhoe line and his constituents,
:40:48. > :40:50.as he is clearly doing. I hope all members of Parliament across these
:40:51. > :40:53.Midlands will contribute to the consultation, making clear what they
:40:54. > :40:59.want to see in a new franchise. We look forward to reading those
:41:00. > :41:03.responses. When the franchise 's letter, the HS2s is going to be
:41:04. > :41:09.phased out, they have reached the end to a lowlife. Will they be
:41:10. > :41:13.replaced with hybrid trains that will not have to be changed again
:41:14. > :41:18.when the Midland mainline is eventually electrified? He'll to
:41:19. > :41:22.forgive me for taking a somewhat elliptical response, but we are
:41:23. > :41:27.continuing to look at the options on rolling stock on this route, working
:41:28. > :41:32.closely with both the current franchisee and preferred bidders for
:41:33. > :41:39.the franchises. We have to make an announcement in due course. As the
:41:40. > :41:43.honourable Juddmonte has just heard, the timetable options for the new
:41:44. > :41:46.franchise are still under development. Once it is complete and
:41:47. > :41:50.we have reviewed the response to the public consultation we will have a
:41:51. > :41:54.much better idea of what we wanted the bidders to deliver against.
:41:55. > :41:56.Clearly, that will include significant improvements, where
:41:57. > :42:03.possible, to services to and from Kettering. The junction between the
:42:04. > :42:09.suburban service out of St Pancras, to Corby, and the Midland mainline
:42:10. > :42:13.service to Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield, the connectivity from
:42:14. > :42:16.Kettering North was halved by the last Labour government to one train
:42:17. > :42:20.per hour. Will the Minister make it one of his top priority is to
:42:21. > :42:32.reinstate the half-hour service northwards. He will know that we
:42:33. > :42:35.have discussed at some length the opportunity to expand the services,
:42:36. > :42:41.and I am sure I will be reminded time and time again that a path is
:42:42. > :42:44.being created on this route. I am looking forward to seeing how the
:42:45. > :42:47.consultation recommends it be best deployed and I am sure Kettering
:42:48. > :42:59.will feature heavily in the LinkedIn.
:43:00. > :43:03.The annual bus satisfaction survey in the autumn 16 report that was
:43:04. > :43:20.published last week, overall, bus passenger survey results scored up
:43:21. > :43:23.87%. The Manchester evening News run its own survey, in response to the
:43:24. > :43:30.question which part would you like to see most improved, more than one
:43:31. > :43:36.in 5.2 porpoise services. -- one in five pointed to poor bus services.
:43:37. > :43:44.What reassurance can the Minister give to Greater Manchester bus users
:43:45. > :43:49.that combines are being heard? I would draw their attention to the
:43:50. > :43:53.commitment to finance the grant, during the course of the parliament,
:43:54. > :44:03.and draw their attention to the services bill that received its
:44:04. > :44:06.reading on Monday. Either I or the Minister of State responsible for
:44:07. > :44:13.the issue have had any contact with the Scottish Government so far about
:44:14. > :44:24.the devolution of ship to ship transfer. The transfer did need
:44:25. > :44:27.improvement. Our intention will be to review the process around the
:44:28. > :44:31.application and assessment of land leg licenses, in consultation with
:44:32. > :44:42.devolved administrations later this year. I thank the Minister, local
:44:43. > :44:47.governments are unconvinced about the safety of ship to ship oil
:44:48. > :44:50.transfers. It is a European designated area for bottlenosed
:44:51. > :44:55.dolphins. I am pleased he is able to take up the case with Scottish
:44:56. > :45:04.ministers, and I also hope he would look at devolving the powers, if
:45:05. > :45:08.that is appropriate. The application was not suitable, and they are
:45:09. > :45:10.looking at making a further application, in the event that Lott
:45:11. > :45:13.is submitted, there will be a full consultation exercise and it will
:45:14. > :45:21.involve the Scottish Government, and will be formally consulted. I regard
:45:22. > :45:25.litter collection by Highways England as an important part of
:45:26. > :45:29.their duties. The department recently asked how England was to
:45:30. > :45:34.identify the worst spots, they were targeted in early March. Highways
:45:35. > :45:39.England are responsible for cleaning litter on the motorway and the
:45:40. > :45:44.network, 2.5% of the road network. Every year they remove 200,000 sacks
:45:45. > :45:49.of litter from the roadside. Over 2000 people responded to my recent
:45:50. > :45:56.Rural Residents Survey, in Kent, and one of the most common concerns was
:45:57. > :45:59.litter, especially on the A2 and the M2. Can my honourable friend advise
:46:00. > :46:06.what steps he is taking to make sure that Highways England fulfil their
:46:07. > :46:11.duty to keep roads clean? This is an issue which is constantly raised by
:46:12. > :46:15.ministers with highways England. They have a duty to adhere to the
:46:16. > :46:18.code of practice on litter and rescues, part of the environmental
:46:19. > :46:21.protection act. It is one of the things that we monitor very
:46:22. > :46:26.carefully. She may be interested to know that on the A2, at Marling
:46:27. > :46:45.cross services, 250 bags of litter were collected. Question 18.
:46:46. > :46:52.I meet my right honourable friend, the Secretary of State for Exiting
:46:53. > :46:54.the European Union on a regular basis. Ministers are working closely
:46:55. > :47:06.to analyse the impact on the aviation industry. We are carefully
:47:07. > :47:10.monitoring the UK's place in the Common aviation area. The Prime
:47:11. > :47:13.Minister the Findlay said in her Article 50 speech that we will be
:47:14. > :47:18.leaving EU institutions, but not Europe, as if that was a good thing.
:47:19. > :47:21.Aviation safety agencies play a crucial role in excluding any
:47:22. > :47:25.aircraft or company that have poor safety record is from European
:47:26. > :47:32.airspace. That safeguards the safeguarding and security of people
:47:33. > :47:35.across the continent. This government matter has a duty to
:47:36. > :47:39.passengers in the aviation sector to tell us if the UK will be eight
:47:40. > :47:42.participant. Are they happy to compromise our economy and passenger
:47:43. > :47:47.well-being to achieve the Little Bret Hart Brexit? In as friendly as
:47:48. > :47:49.possible a spirit, there is no danger of her suffering ill health
:47:50. > :48:04.as a result of excessive hurry. That may be. The honourable lady
:48:05. > :48:12.does speak an awful lot of nonsense. We do not pursue a Little Britain
:48:13. > :48:17.strategy. We are looking to build our role in the world. Aviation will
:48:18. > :48:21.be an important part of that, which is why we are expanding Heathrow
:48:22. > :48:23.Airport and seeking to expand Heathrow Airport, subject to the
:48:24. > :48:27.consultation happening at the moment. We will bring forward to
:48:28. > :48:31.this house and country our proposals in due course. Of course, many of
:48:32. > :48:37.the international bodies go far beyond the European Union and they
:48:38. > :48:42.will continue playing a role in bodies going beyond the European
:48:43. > :48:50.Union. Topical questions, Helen Whately? Last year, I set out a bold
:48:51. > :48:52.vision for a railway that puts passengers at the heart of
:48:53. > :48:56.everything it does. We have heard about our plans to deliver more
:48:57. > :49:03.capacity for commuters on the south-east, and I regard new trains
:49:04. > :49:08.on the south-eastern network as a priority for this government The. I
:49:09. > :49:14.also announced new departures on the south-western routes, with a new
:49:15. > :49:21.franchise, with the experience of NCR, who deliver 99% of reliability
:49:22. > :49:24.on their current network, that will mean more trains, faster journeys
:49:25. > :49:26.and more space for passengers. I think that will bring a better
:49:27. > :49:30.transformation for passengers in a way that we are also working to do
:49:31. > :49:34.with passengers around Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff and those around
:49:35. > :49:43.London. Thank you. The recently published Kent corridor to M25 would
:49:44. > :49:46.strategy identifies my constituency as a congestion and accident
:49:47. > :49:50.hotspot. Can my right honourable friend confirm that his department
:49:51. > :49:54.is considering significant investment in this junction? Mr
:49:55. > :49:58.Speaker, we are in the process of digesting the strategy is provided
:49:59. > :50:01.by Highways England. They provided the blueprint for the project we
:50:02. > :50:05.need to deliver two is the points of congestion. At this early stage, I
:50:06. > :50:08.cannot give a commitment to individual projects. What I would
:50:09. > :50:12.say is that we are looking very carefully at that study and others,
:50:13. > :50:17.and we are seized of the need to make sure we address problems like
:50:18. > :50:22.the ones she address. Three years ago, the Law Commission recommended
:50:23. > :50:25.wholesale reform of taxi and private hire services, but the government
:50:26. > :50:38.The Has not responded. Uber proliferate, they pay no VAT.
:50:39. > :50:44.Another ten adviser, who lo and behold now runs the Uber, isn't it
:50:45. > :50:47.time we saw some urgent action on the half of the sexual state
:50:48. > :50:56.regarding the taxi and private hire industry? While he's at it, the way
:50:57. > :51:00.which his party runs his sure theocracy? I have to say, given the
:51:01. > :51:07.current state of the Labour Party, I'm not sure I would go down that
:51:08. > :51:11.road if I were him. We are currently looking at what the best approaches
:51:12. > :51:17.to the future regulation structure of our taxi and private hire
:51:18. > :51:20.services. I have to say, I see a particular priority and that as
:51:21. > :51:23.being able to ensure public safety. That is work we're doing, local
:51:24. > :51:28.authorities are doing, we want to deliver the right for that. Our job
:51:29. > :51:33.is to ensure that we have the right choice for consumers, the right
:51:34. > :51:37.options in our marketplace, and we also protect those parts of the
:51:38. > :51:40.industry, like the London blackouts, which are a national institution,
:51:41. > :51:44.and which none of us would wish to see disappear. This is about a
:51:45. > :51:47.measured approach. Some of the most evocative issues lie in the hands of
:51:48. > :51:52.the London mayor and not of this government. The Luba scandal is not
:51:53. > :51:57.the only issue of concern right at the heart of this Tory Government,
:51:58. > :52:02.given its perpetual revolving door employment strategy. We await a
:52:03. > :52:06.response on how a senior civil servant awarded a rail franchise
:52:07. > :52:10.while part owning the consultancy advising the successful bidder,
:52:11. > :52:19.yesterday was announced a just to have dropped a ?170 million
:52:20. > :52:25.engineering contract. HS2's former chief of staff worked on the
:52:26. > :52:29.engineering company's bid for the project. Now, the director-general
:52:30. > :52:34.of HS2 has resigned this morning. I don't agree with a taxpayer Alliance
:52:35. > :52:37.when I say this does not pass the smell test, it stinks to high
:52:38. > :52:42.heaven. Will the Secretary of State order an immediate, independent
:52:43. > :52:48.inquiry into these goings-on? His silence on this issue speaks
:52:49. > :52:51.volumes. Let's be clear about this. First, in terms of the appointments
:52:52. > :52:58.to the chief executive role of HS2, I want the best person for the job.
:52:59. > :53:03.We will always seek to recruit the best person for that job. I will
:53:04. > :53:07.also ensure that if there are any questions around the recruitment
:53:08. > :53:10.process, those are addressed carefully, investigated carefully by
:53:11. > :53:13.the civil service, to give me the reassurance that we can make an
:53:14. > :53:18.appointment without any concern about doing so. That we did. I have
:53:19. > :53:21.absolute confidence in the recruitment process and in that new
:53:22. > :53:26.chief executive. The announcement made yesterday that they had decided
:53:27. > :53:30.to withdraw from contracting, after an issue, not a massive one, but an
:53:31. > :53:34.issue emerged with the contracting process, is the right one. I am
:53:35. > :53:37.grateful for her doing that. I want to make sure the contracting
:53:38. > :53:41.processes in Government recruit the right expertise, corporate or
:53:42. > :53:45.individual, but were also robust in making sure that if things are not
:53:46. > :53:48.done right, it is addressed. That is what has happened. Has the
:53:49. > :53:52.government map or given any consideration to the proposal by Sir
:53:53. > :53:55.John Arnott for UK national investment bank, which would be very
:53:56. > :54:01.handy, for example, to support projects like the bridge from
:54:02. > :54:05.sharpness to my constituency? I know about my honourable friend's
:54:06. > :54:09.interest in that potential. What I would say is that, firstly, Sir John
:54:10. > :54:12.is a very important adviser to Government through his role in a
:54:13. > :54:16.number of different roles. I very much respect and value his
:54:17. > :54:19.expertise. What I would also say is that there is a substantial amount
:54:20. > :54:24.of private finance out there, looking for projects to develop. We
:54:25. > :54:26.are always welcoming serious proposals to improve the
:54:27. > :54:32.infrastructure, supported by private finance. Earlier on, the Minister
:54:33. > :54:36.may have inadvertently missed part of a question from my honourable
:54:37. > :54:42.friend from Liverpool Riverside. When will transport for the North be
:54:43. > :54:50.put on a statutory basis? Well, I can say that I have told the
:54:51. > :54:56.department that I am happy with that. With the tourist season
:54:57. > :55:02.approaching, does he agree with me that electrification of the Western
:55:03. > :55:05.rail line is vital for bringing more tourists to Wales? Will he give us
:55:06. > :55:11.an update on the Government's progress in that area? He is quite
:55:12. > :55:15.right to identify that we need to improve the service on the great
:55:16. > :55:18.Western mainline, particularly to Cardiff, Swansea and beyond. We are
:55:19. > :55:22.looking at the options for how we can deliver passenger benefits.
:55:23. > :55:25.There is re-franchising commencing shortly. We look forward to hearing
:55:26. > :55:26.all of the ideas of honourable members from both sides of the
:55:27. > :55:35.house. The Davis commission with absolutely
:55:36. > :55:40.explicit that when the third runway for Heathrow is completed, the waste
:55:41. > :55:45.plant will need to be replaced, and yet the national policy statement on
:55:46. > :55:49.Heathrow from the minister simply says that its impact on the waste
:55:50. > :55:53.stream will require assessment. In view of the fact that in this area
:55:54. > :55:58.it is going to be difficult to find an appropriate place to replace that
:55:59. > :56:03.important facility for getting rid of landfill, will the minister
:56:04. > :56:06.change the national policy statements to make sure that the
:56:07. > :56:13.commitment to replace the energy from the waste plant is maintained?
:56:14. > :56:17.I am well aware of this issue and this is a consultation on a draft
:56:18. > :56:22.national policy statement. The ultimate decisions about that plant
:56:23. > :56:25.will be a matter for the owners of the plant and Heathrow Airport. Both
:56:26. > :56:28.are putting appropriate arrangements are putting appropriate arrangements
:56:29. > :56:35.in place in order for things to go ahead, but they take on board her
:56:36. > :56:39.comments for that consultation. This Sunday is a historic day, as
:56:40. > :56:47.elsewhere finally reconnects with the rest of the railway network.
:56:48. > :56:51.This would not have been possible without the ?6.6 million fund grant
:56:52. > :56:54.provided by this government. Does the minister agree this is money
:56:55. > :57:06.well spent and will encourage people to use the trains to visit Ilkeston
:57:07. > :57:08.and used the local economy? I am very glad to hear that Ilkeston was
:57:09. > :57:15.looking forward to utilising its train services. I am heartened by
:57:16. > :57:18.members from both sides of the how to approach me about potential new
:57:19. > :57:23.railway station on the local network, which is eight welcome
:57:24. > :57:26.change to when the network was contracting and people see railway
:57:27. > :57:32.stations as opportunities for growth economically and in terms of
:57:33. > :57:37.population. I welcome that progress. We are pleased and the Autumn
:57:38. > :57:41.Statement about the inclusion of an expressway to relieve congestion
:57:42. > :57:48.between the M-16 and the M6 G2 but that has not been finalised until
:57:49. > :57:55.2019, as I understand it. -- motor 16 and made to 62. We need that
:57:56. > :57:59.urgently to facilitate new housing. Whether it be possible to arrange a
:58:00. > :58:04.further meeting to see what we can do to bring this project forward as
:58:05. > :58:08.soon as possible? As the minister is not here I am very happy to put
:58:09. > :58:23.states in his diary and I am sure that will be achievable! My right
:58:24. > :58:28.honourable friend the member for Newark may have been trapped in the
:58:29. > :58:32.roadworks around Newark on his way home to Lincolnshire. My
:58:33. > :58:36.constituents are the happiest of any constituency in the country, as you
:58:37. > :58:39.may have seen. But they are kept awake at night actually very
:58:40. > :58:47.seriously by the spate of terrible accidents on the A1 between Grantham
:58:48. > :58:52.and Retford. Will the minister commission a full review of safety
:58:53. > :58:58.along the A1 particularly at Newark but through this very dangerous
:58:59. > :59:01.stretch from Grantham to Retford? The honourable gentleman did in fact
:59:02. > :59:07.write to me to explain that he would be absent today. And I detected in
:59:08. > :59:12.his letter of very considerable sense of regret that he would be
:59:13. > :59:17.outside of this country rather than in this chamber. Personally, I found
:59:18. > :59:24.it difficult, but we have done our best. We have managed without him
:59:25. > :59:26.today but I look forward to the return of the right honourable
:59:27. > :59:34.gentleman for the subsequent session. My right honourable friend
:59:35. > :59:37.is actually in China. He is not delayed around Newark. But I would
:59:38. > :59:43.be very happy to look into the issues raised by my honourable
:59:44. > :59:46.friend. Anyone who has ever driven between the great cities of
:59:47. > :59:51.Sheffield and Manchester will undoubtedly have been caught in
:59:52. > :59:56.congestion along my constituency. The first public inquiry into a
:59:57. > :00:00.solution was in 1967, and for the seven years I have been MP, I have
:00:01. > :00:04.raised it repeatedly so I am pleased to see a consultation on a bypass
:00:05. > :00:08.route which is now open as part of the trans-Pennine programme. Would
:00:09. > :00:14.he join us in getting that route sorted? I have met with the right
:00:15. > :00:18.honourable gentleman and I have been to see the particular problems in
:00:19. > :00:22.his area and I agree that they are acute. I invite everybody to
:00:23. > :00:25.participate in the consultation to get this problem finally solved.
:00:26. > :00:31.With billions of pounds of taxpayers' money at take, clearly
:00:32. > :00:36.after the announcement last night on HS2, confidence in the transparency
:00:37. > :00:48.and the decision-making processes in HS2 Limited and CH2M have been
:00:49. > :00:53.called seriously into question. With CH2M, did they jump or where they
:00:54. > :00:59.pushed? The company giving up a ?170 million contract is enormous. And
:01:00. > :01:03.will he give this House an undertaking that no further
:01:04. > :01:10.contracts will be issued to other bidders further down the line before
:01:11. > :01:16.a full inquiry has been conducted into the decision-making processes
:01:17. > :01:21.in HS2 and CH2M? Mr Speaker, I don't normally like to differ from
:01:22. > :01:24.honourable friend. I am very clear on this. CH2M have done the right
:01:25. > :01:28.thing in taking a step back having identified a problem that would have
:01:29. > :01:32.called into question whether they could and should operate this
:01:33. > :01:38.contract. This was not the mass of misdemeanour. It was an error in the
:01:39. > :01:43.process that has caused them to take a step back. It will now be for the
:01:44. > :01:47.board of HS2 and its independent directors to make sure that in
:01:48. > :01:50.taking this contract forward, they do the right thing. But from the
:01:51. > :01:55.point of view of the country, it is important that we get on with the
:01:56. > :01:57.job as well. We will have all the necessary governance in place as we
:01:58. > :02:02.go through the process of replacing CH2M but we do need to get on with
:02:03. > :02:04.the job. My constituents have endured all the destruction and
:02:05. > :02:12.chaos while the template programme is going on at London Bridge. --
:02:13. > :02:16.Thames link. They did so hoping they would get a better service but they
:02:17. > :02:19.are incandescent with rage that they are cutting services to Charing
:02:20. > :02:24.Cross and Victoria and reducing off-peak services. This is not
:02:25. > :02:31.agree to meet with meet to discuss agree to meet with meet to discuss
:02:32. > :02:35.is a consultation and we haven't taken any decisions that we haven't
:02:36. > :02:38.even got an intent. This is about asking people. There are ways of
:02:39. > :02:42.running this railway that could potentially make it more efficient,
:02:43. > :02:47.what do you think? And if the answer is that we don't want you to do
:02:48. > :02:50.that, we will listen. I focus for the local passengers and local
:02:51. > :02:54.railways is to deliver more capacity, the best reliability and
:02:55. > :03:01.in particular longer trains, and all of those things are firmly on our
:03:02. > :03:04.agenda. Mr Speaker, the CH2M problem is a bigger problem for my
:03:05. > :03:08.constituents. It is very welcome that the viaduct have been changed
:03:09. > :03:13.to a tunnel, but more changes are needed. I constituents want to know
:03:14. > :03:21.if this delay is any potential changes or decisions affecting their
:03:22. > :03:28.lives? No, it doesn't. On Saturday I am speaking at Newcastle Cycling's
:03:29. > :03:32.annual general meeting. What can I say to encourage them that the
:03:33. > :03:36.government is doing everything to bring cycling to everybody when the
:03:37. > :03:43.average cyclist is male, white, middle-class, under 40 and in Lycra?
:03:44. > :03:46.The honourable lady is absolutely right that cycling does need to
:03:47. > :03:54.broaden out and part of the plan we will be launching shortly will be to
:03:55. > :03:57.help local authorities set up their local cycling and walking investment
:03:58. > :04:04.plans which will include broadening the range of people who will be
:04:05. > :04:08.potential cyclists hopefully. Last Friday, the 8.34 between Stafford
:04:09. > :04:14.and Stoke was gridlocked because of the closure of the Msix for several
:04:15. > :04:20.hours. This affected my constituents and the entire north-south commerce.
:04:21. > :04:23.What plans does the government have or HS2 when it comes through
:04:24. > :04:27.Staffordshire cutting all the main arterial routes to make sure we do
:04:28. > :04:33.not get a repeat of this kind of congestion? The planning for the
:04:34. > :04:37.construction phase of HS2 is obviously a critical part of
:04:38. > :04:42.delivering this project. And as a part of that there is local
:04:43. > :04:45.engagement between HS2 and Highways England, and also the local highways
:04:46. > :04:49.authorities. The honourable gentleman is right to highlight the
:04:50. > :04:52.potential risk but all the conversations and collaborations are
:04:53. > :04:56.taking place to make sure that does not happen. Last November, the
:04:57. > :05:02.railway minister sat in a meeting with 15 colleagues including three
:05:03. > :05:04.Cabinet ministers and promised additional carriages for the
:05:05. > :05:07.south-eastern network. This can't be kicked into the long grass. It can't
:05:08. > :05:13.be delayed until the new franchise. It needs to happen now. When and how
:05:14. > :05:17.many? It is not being delayed until the new franchise. It is already
:05:18. > :05:22.going to happen very soon, as I explained in earlier questions. We
:05:23. > :05:25.have already had a proposal from South-eastern for new carriages and
:05:26. > :05:32.we are looking at it now. We have only had it a week and we want it to
:05:33. > :05:34.happen as soon as possible. The extension to the Metropolitan line
:05:35. > :05:41.at crocs Lee Green is running into financial difficulties. What
:05:42. > :05:44.assessment has my right honourable friend made for the project at what
:05:45. > :05:48.discussions are taking place between the Mayor of London and Transport
:05:49. > :05:51.for London? Hertfordshire County Council and the Department for
:05:52. > :05:55.Transport provided money to Transport for London for the
:05:56. > :05:58.extension work. The agreement was that Transport for London would meet
:05:59. > :06:03.any costs above the agreed price and would retain any funds below it.
:06:04. > :06:07.That agreement was reached a couple of years ago. Quite a chunk of money
:06:08. > :06:10.has already been spent including the acquisition of a train. It is for
:06:11. > :06:15.the Mayor of London to complete this project and I have asked him for his
:06:16. > :06:19.plans to do so. If the Secretary of State aware that it cannot easily
:06:20. > :06:25.brush off what has happened with that fiasco of HS2 and the
:06:26. > :06:30.resignation? Will he also take into account that now is the time, very
:06:31. > :06:36.opportune, to get rid of that stupid idea of having two HS2 lines running
:06:37. > :06:42.through the county of Derbyshire, one called the new Tim Spey, which
:06:43. > :06:50.will lose us 1000 jobs in the area, knocked down 32 houses, it is called
:06:51. > :06:54.the dawdle through Derbyshire. Well, I'll is enjoy the honourable
:06:55. > :06:59.gentleman's questions but it is not a dawdle through Derbyshire. -- I
:07:00. > :07:03.always enjoy. It is a consultation on how we get the route through
:07:04. > :07:08.South Yorkshire. There is no consensus upon this matter, it would
:07:09. > :07:10.be fair to say. I have met with the honourable gentleman and colleagues
:07:11. > :07:14.from South Yorkshire and we will be responding to that consultation
:07:15. > :07:18.later this year. The point is how do we maximise the opportunities with
:07:19. > :07:20.South Yorkshire and the East Midlands from HS2? These
:07:21. > :07:23.opportunities will be significant and the honourable gentleman should
:07:24. > :07:27.be getting behind the project and working with us to mitigate the
:07:28. > :07:31.impact and recognising the positive economic impact that HS2 will have
:07:32. > :07:37.on our country. We are running late but I want to hear two more. The
:07:38. > :07:43.people of Brock stoa looking forward to HS2 coming, where we will have
:07:44. > :07:48.the East Midlands hub, and considerable benefit. Can I thank
:07:49. > :07:52.the minister for his visit to Trowell because in Trowell there is
:07:53. > :07:57.not opposition to the root necessarily, although there is
:07:58. > :08:00.concern, but to a 60 feet viaduct that will deliver HS2? Would the
:08:01. > :08:04.minister would be so good to confirm that he will do everything he can to
:08:05. > :08:09.make sure that HS2 looks at all options to deliver HS2 through the
:08:10. > :08:14.East Midlands and through Trowell, a village? I much enjoyed my visit to
:08:15. > :08:19.the area and to Trowell and to see the economic impact it will have on
:08:20. > :08:22.businesses there, but also to look at the allegations were local
:08:23. > :08:26.communities. I will of course be very happy to take every action we
:08:27. > :08:29.can to make sure this works for everybody including the mitigation
:08:30. > :08:32.that the honourable lady is suggesting. We want to minimise the
:08:33. > :08:39.impact and maximise the benefits from this exciting project. Back in
:08:40. > :08:42.the 2015 to bed, the parliamentary undersecretary of state said he
:08:43. > :08:46.stock is coming to the end of its stock is coming to the end of its
:08:47. > :08:50.life and there were looking towards a new fleet. This was in relation to
:08:51. > :08:55.the Tyne and we're Metro. Since we are now two years on, can he say
:08:56. > :09:01.when we are going to invest in the Metro? I have met with them and we
:09:02. > :09:10.are hoping to make it happen very soon. Order. On the 8th of September
:09:11. > :09:15.2016, I announced to the House the launch of a new initiative, the
:09:16. > :09:18.Speaker's democracy award. The intention of this award is to allow
:09:19. > :09:23.this House to recognise and celebrate individuals who have
:09:24. > :09:30.championed democracy or brought about social change in an emerging
:09:31. > :09:34.democracy. A number of excellent nominations were received from
:09:35. > :09:38.honourable and right honourable members, and following a meeting of
:09:39. > :09:44.the judging committee, I am pleased to be able to tell the House that
:09:45. > :09:56.mafia men an MP is the winner in this, the inaugural year of the
:09:57. > :09:57.awards. -- Ms Memon. She is the chairperson of the income support
:09:58. > :09:59.programme in