Transport Questions House of Commons

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

Stuart MacDonald. Question number one, please, Mr Speaker. The

government is carefully considering the potential impact as part of our

preparations for negotiating our departure from the European Union.

The DuPont is engaged with industry on this matter. It is too soon to

say what arrangements will be in place. -- Department. But we are

looking at future arrangements. We have had great opportunities for

registered airlines including companies such as easyJet, applying

largely unrestricted between the member states and within as well as

from the EU to the US. Brexit could change that. Can he reassure

passengers the UK will remain part of the open skies arrangement? As I

said a moment ago, of course, we will be reaching that agreement in

due course. We intend across the sectors, with haulage, aviation, to

secure the best possible agreement for the future which will benefit

those who seek to do business in the UK from elsewhere in the union and

those who seek to do business elsewhere in the union from the UK.

How important is it to make arrangements for the worst-case

scenario, just to show how seriously our negotiating intent is? You will

not be surprised to learn that of course the Government does take

steps to prepare for all eventualities but we entered

negotiations with good faith and intend to secure a good deal because

we think it is in the interests of everybody in the UK and the European

Union. Can the Secretary of State confirm the worst-case scenario is

no arrangement at all? And he also confirm for airlines they have to

schedule 12-18 months in advance and therefore can he confirm he has to

resolve this within the next six months? I never speculate on these

things. What I would say is I have detailed discussions with the

aviation industry and have had in the last few weeks. I am aware of

the challenges they face in their business models and the Government

listens carefully to them about how best to approach this important

sector in the course of negotiations. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Like the aviation sector, the maritime industry is heavily reliant

on the EU. The shipping sector warned Brexit might cost the UK

shipping companies the right to trade in EU coastal waters, meaning

a heavy financial prize. What assurances will he give today that

he will retain the same access and what discussions has he had with

Scotland to discuss the implications? The government is

focused on making sure of the best possible arrangements across the

transport sector. We have regular discussions with the Scottish

government on a wide variety of issues. What I would say, which I

think is good news for all of us, is the UK flag is currently increasing

in size again and that is something we would all welcome. The Prime

Minister told the House yesterday she will, in her words, deliver

certainty to UK businesses about the position of after Brexit. Without

agreement in principle some companies are already warning new

customer checks will gridlock road leading to the Channel ports.

UK-based airlines are warning they might have to relocate bases across

the Channel if the UK pulls out of the common aviation area. How and

when is the minister going to deliver the certainty that these

companies need now, rather than a ministerial aspiration that

everything is going to be all right on the night? This is not simply

about UK companies, because the vast majority of haulage based cabotage

in the United Kingdom is International hauliers operating in

the UK. So they have invested interest in making sure their

politicians work with us to make sure the best possible arrangements

for the future. That is what we will do and I'm confident other European

governments will want the same. Question number two, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As I am sure the lady is aware Northern

Powerhouse rail will provide faster and more frequent rail services

across the region. We are committed to developing the scheme and working

closely with transport for the north on potential route options and the

cost and benefits, which will arrive with us by the end of 2017. I'm sure

the Minister will be aware that Bradford has launched the next stop

Brad Pitt campaign to secure an HS3 station in our city centre. Will the

Minister John would made to support the Northern Powerhouse rail house

station in Bradford? -- next stop Bradford campaign. I am aware of the

campaign. The leader of the council has written to me. I'm grateful to

receive about. I think it is important to stress Northern

Powerhouse is not just about linking major cities in the north but also

smaller towns and cities where it can be really improved with a

significant degree. Is the Minister aware the recently published

economic study on the east West trans-Pennine connectivity on behalf

of Lancashire and Yorkshire finds reopening the Skipton rail route

will boost prosperity across the north but failing to improve

connectivity from east to west will, I quote, critically restrict the

growth potential of the Pennine corridor economy, a key driver for

the Northern Powerhouse? We will look at the importance of links,

road and rail and I am very familiar and I'm sure he is with the Skipton

campaign. I wish it well and I hope it features highly on all the local

funding bids coming to the Department. Transport for the North

has great potential in transforming the Northern economies. But what

powers will it actually have? When will it become a statutory body?

Will it have the same powers as transport for London? We continue to

listen carefully to what powers we want to give transport for the

North. I hope it is good to be placed on the statute in the future.

We will make an announcement in June course. There is a lot we can do for

transport for the North even now, working together on Smart ticketing,

infrastructure improvements, transport for the North is

successful already, whatever the spaces. There can be no doubt that

the Government transport for the North has a plethora of plans and

strategies and proposals. They are all wonderful. But can I ask the

Minister, what mechanisms are actually in place to make sure all

these plans are in fact turned into real action? Pierce right to

identify the amount of creativity that exists in the North of England.

-- he is right. In terms of new infrastructure. But it is important

we remember the fact there is only a finite amount of money at any one

time. That is why in the Department and the other devolved

administrations and in transport for the North we have a very complex and

I think sensible ways to judge the impact any particular piece of

infrastructure will have had to calculate the benefit- cost ratio.

Thank you. I had two letters from number three... Well done. Andrew

Jones. I wish England acknowledged concerns about the safety

performance of the Switch Island junction after the opening of the

brooms crossroad and has since implemented measures, interim

measures, to improve safety. They also added bite options for more

safety improvement and I'm discussing them with the honourable

gentleman's local council, including changing traffic signs and

introducing gantries to make the layout more clear. I had two letter

from the Minister of State last week. One described work on the M25

and the other about the island it describes. We know the Government

has a Surrey first approach to spending money. My constituents

would like was told it will be next year. This

needs to be much sooner. Safety must come first. I would have thought the

honourable gentleman would have been delighted to hear about the range of

plans we have right across the country. Especially for this

project, the funding has been identified, they are working through

various options, they have to work out what is feasible on the planning

and design site and increment a plan in the early part of 2018, but his

concerns on road safety are part of the consideration. No, no, no. It

would have to be the biggest junction in human history to stretch

from Sefton in of England to Stroud in Gloucestershire. It doesn't. We

will accommodate him at a later stage. Now he can resume his seat.

We are grateful to the fella. Ian Stewart. Question four, Mr Speaker.

The Department continues to work with the industry to explore what

further improvements can be made to subdivide fares. The plan will drive

improvements for passengers, including removing jargon, improving

vending machines and trialling approaches to simplify the fare

structure. Thank you, many of my constituents

travel frequently by train, but not every day and not always at peak

hours. Therefore, the traditional season ticket is not appropriate for

them. Can the Minister tell me what new ticket products he is

encouraging talks to introduce to meet and encourage this demand?

Well, he is quite right to raise the issue of part-time season tickets.

It is something of personal importance to me as well. I

encourage all train operating companies to consider whether the

range of products they have on offer actually meets their customer needs.

With regards to his own route to Milton Keynes, I am sure he will be

pleased to know that the next West Midlands franchise will require a

part-time flexible season-ticket to be offered by the winning bidder. I

wonder whether the Government could also simplify the process of

compensation for customers when a train is cancelled? It is so often

that the school run train is cancelled, or First Great Western

trains from London to Cardiff, there is no automatic compensation on

either of those lines, which other providers give. Why can't we have

automatic compensation when a train is cancelled? I would say briefly

that we need to ensure that whenever a passenger makes a claim for

compensation they can demonstrate they were on the training question.

Automatic compensation can be achieved if you have a season ticket

or an advance purchase tickets. I would also make the observation that

compensation arrangements on the Wales and border franchise are a

matter for the Welsh assembly. One aspect of the ticketing system and

the compensation is that a lot of the money paid by Network Rail to

the rail companies does not actually reach the passengers. That is quite

scandalous. What action is the minister taking to ensure that the

money does in fact end up in the passenger bank accounts? Well, we

have a fruitful discussion on schedule eight payments in the

transport select committee last week and I explained at some length why

the two are not directly contribute. He will have heard that the chief

executive said that they are trying to make payments more transparent

and more related to what the passenger themselves has

experienced. I look forward to hearing what their recommendations

are in due course. Mr Speaker, the Government only sets

noise flight restrictions at night at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

We believe that noise is best managed locally, so we don't monitor

the number of night flights outside of those three airports. At Scottish

airports, the powers to set night flight restrictions and other noise

controls are devolved and lie with Scottish ministers. Thank you for

your answer. I do acknowledge that the night flight proposals extend

only to the London airports. But given anticipated growth in night

flights generally, does that not seem rather short-sighted? On one

hand, we want growth in airports, but we have to recognise the rights

of constituents everywhere, not just in Scotland? Well, this is clearly a

live issue for people around airports. I think the airspace

modernisation programme will provide additional tools to improve things.

I assume she is not asking me to take back powers from the Scottish

Government to regulate night flights to Scottish airports, otherwise I

think she will have to talk to her colleagues in Edinburgh. Talking

about regional airports, what plans does the government have for

nationalising regional airports? Well, we have no plans to

nationalise regional airports. In some cases, local authorities, or

local authorities, in partnership with private sector, control

regional airports. That is a for local authorities and for the

current and past owners of the airports. We have no plans to

nationalise airports. Does the Minister acknowledge that whilst it

is important to ensure that international flights to regional

airports are facilitated, that it is equally important that there is not

unbearable disruption to neighbourhoods? How does the

Minister believe that this balance is being achieved within the current

monitoring process? I think the big difference that will come from the

airspace modernisation programme is that, by moving from systems that

are 50 years out of date, to ones that use the most modern technology,

it would be possible to manage approaches and departure puffs from

airports in a more exact way, to provide more variation for local

communities and to deliver a much smarter way of managing aviation as

a whole. The Department for communities and

the has responsibility for off-street parking. I have had

discussions with my honourable friend, the member for Nuneaton, and

we have further meeting is being planned. Officials from my

department also have regular contact with officials from DCLG and the

DVLA counterpart. Motorists must be able to challenge unfair parking

fines. When my constituents were punished by Xl Parking's Paul

signings, many were forced to come to me to have any chance of a refund

will stop the appeals service has proved successful, does this company

live up to its name? I can tell the honourable gentleman that what we

are discussing will be the role of the DVLA within that. In terms of

supplying driver information, but also for consideration is the vigour

with which the codes of practice for the accredited trade associations

are enforced. The objective is to make sure that while recognising

there are many good parking companies, there are some whose

standards of customer service do not meet expectations. We had a very

good debate on this in Westminster last week and we look forward to

standing up for consumers to make sure they get a better deal. The

British parking Association represents many of the operators of

private car parks. The minister just refer to their code of practice for

the industry. What discussions has he had with them about improving

performance of parking operations? I have met with the British parking

Association. We will be having further meetings. It is all about

making sure that they do tackle their independent appeals process

and codes of practice, they work in behalf of consumers. That is our

objective and that is what we will be taken forward in my discussions.

A constituents on mine, Lisa Smith, was given a ticket for parking on

the line. Another sort a city pound fine escalated to ?180, with threats

of court action quickly. A disabled constituent who had a blue badge

that was out of date by one week was given a fine. When other government

The Going to bring forward legislation to deal with rogue

parking companies and those that rip off British motorists? That was a

point that the honourable gentleman made in the debate that we had last

week. I can't tell him when DCLG will be responding to the

consultation. I can tell him we will be working with DVLA and DCLG from a

department perspective, to make sure we can do all we can to make sure

that the consumer gets a better deal when tackling some of the bigger

rogue parking companies. Mr Speaker, last week in Westminster Hall the

Minister told me that the provision of DVLA data to private car parking

companies is not subsidised. Yet a House of Commons Library report, and

a transport committee report from 2015, stated it charges ?2.50 for

each inquiry, it costs the DVLA to pounds 84p to process each request.

The difference in the cost of the service last year was a shortfall of

around ?700,000. Will he publish current figures to back up his

claim, or is the taxpayer in deed the disgraceful practices of private

companies such as Smart Parking, in many constituencies, including my

own? The charges ?2.50 for the data. It is basically set on a cost

recovery basis. It is not possible to predict entirely accurately into

the future how many claims they will be during a financial year. Some

years there could be a small deficit, some years there could be a

small surplus. As I undertook to colleagues in the debate last week,

I will put the data into a letter in the House of Commons Library. Mr

Speaker, we have heard about the Westminster Hall debate last night.

We had complaints from members across the country about the

practices of cowboy parking operators. Extraordinary, in that

debate, the Honourable Member for North East Somerset revealed

hitherto undiscovered socialist tendencies by demanding the

government act and introduce regulation. These cowboy operators

need the data to fleece their victims. Can the Minister tell me

how many operators have actually been struck off for poor practice?

After years of dithering, when is the Government going to step in to

protect innocent motorists? There were a viewpoint is that I will

related to my honourable friend from Somerset, whose socialist tendencies

will be a surprise to him. In terms of suspensions, it is 18. I cannot

answer for the DCLG and when they will respond to the consultation.

Number seven, Mr Speaker. For a safe, efficient railway, from

the office of rail and road, the longer term, the Company has reduced

the cost of the railway significantly and reliability has

improved. The trend in spending is broadly stable. It is vital that the

company continues to drive efficiency to ensure a good service

to passengers, while reducing the burden on passengers and taxpayers.

The overhead line equipment on East Coast mainline route is in urgent

need of renewal, having been installed in the 1970s and 80s. We

already know that there are six times higher spending in the south

and north on rail transport infrastructure. We also seem to have

a East- West divide. East Coast has received ?3 billion less than that

of the West. Will the Government bring forward their funding to

upgrade East Coast mainline infrastructure, since passenger

performance measures are now at 25.1%, due to overhead line failure,

and, in layman 's terms, it means my constituents journeys are being

delayed and seriously diverted. I should have predicted that she would

raise the issue of overhead line element. I have already met with Mr

McIntosh to discuss this issue. Here's looking at how he can improve

reliability of overhead lines, particularly with high winds and

heavy storms, which often cause a problem. We are looking at

vegetation management near the overhead lines, track geometry and

reliability of system tension to improve high winds. With an

investment in maintenance, passengers in south-east London

desperately need investment in rolling stock to deal with the

serious overcrowding on the line. Will the Minister tell the house

whether he is looking favourably on the revised bid that south-eastern

have put forward? I am sure he has already noticed the consultation

that was released last week on the future of the south-east and

franchise. It clearly put capacity front and centre. It is also right

to point out that we received a proposal from south-eastern that

came forward, as we spoke to a personal request from me. We had a

request for a week and we look carefully to make sure it makes

sense and adds up. I hope there will be hitting the network as soon as

possible. Part of the proposal for new rolling stock involve the

transfer of class 377 trains from GDR. I have been told those trains

will be there from Monday and they will be standing empty at the

Grosvenor sidings outside Victoria Station. It will be adding insult to

injury to my constituents, sitting on a crowded train, if they are

passing through empty carriages that ought to be helping them. Will the

Minister please fix this soon? Well, here is entirely right to point out

that in this regard, both franchises, they should be working

closely together. They have a similar parent company and they have

rolling stock that they need. I expect a solution to this problem.

We have had a proposal, I wanted to see it introduced as soon as

possible. As we move towards the post-Brexit world, and Scottish

Parliament is supposed begetting new powers, will the government might go

do something already in their gift, devolve the power of network radio

Scotland so the Scottish Government Kante controlled investment,

maintenance, delivery and programme in Scotland? I am happy to answer

this question each month when we have transport questions. We looked

at it carefully in the Smith Commission, there was no consensus

and we are not taking the proposal forward. The Government is not

setting national targets and is not considering reinstating them. We do

not believe that targets will provide further persuasion on the

importance of road safety. It is already at the heart of departmental

thinking. Is the Minister aware that between September 15 and September

16 there was a 2% increase in deaths on the road, and a 6% increase on

casualties? In my constituency Blackburn, there is a 49% higher

than national average of car user casualties. Shockingly, 102% higher

than the national average of children's casualties. Between 2010,

and 2015, the number of dedicated road traffic police officers in

England and Wales outside the Matt has fallen by eight quarter, to

3501. Does the Minister see a direct link between reduced capacity to

enforce road laws and the annual increases in road deaths and serious

casualties? I have obviously considered this

matter and look at road safety data on an annual basis. In terms of

enforcement how police use of resources is a matter for individual

authorities and Crime Commissioner 's. As the Inspectorate of

Constabulary has made clear, there is no simple link between officer

numbers and crime level. The key is the output achieved rather than

measuring how many they are. It is important to point out in 2015 we

have the second lowest road safety killed and seriously injured data in

British Road history. It is positive and we are working to make our roads

even save her. Thank you very much. -- even more safe.

Cyclists in Stroud, and Sefton, for that matter... They are crying out

to make sure that they can go around roundabouts and across junctions

safely. Will the Minister take that into account in terms of national

transport planning? Most certainly. I am acutely aware of the impact of

cycling infrastructure on road safety. It is part of our

consideration. We were hoping to launch a cycling and investment

strategy last week, but there was a change to the timetable of

government announcements Portbury obvious reasons. Following on from

that question what about the addressing of traffic lights and

pedestrian crossings? This is becoming a major problem in central

London. That comes down to activity undertaken to enforce the rules and

also educating cyclist about the importance of following the road

safety directions. I am aware of cyclists who go through red lights

and it is not safe. It is part of our education campaign to help

cyclists know what it is to behave on our roads. Mr Speaker, two people

died in November on behalf of macro 52, in an urban part of my

constituency. -- the A2. There is clearly a real problem with

speeding, people racing at very high speed. Will the minister be so good

as to meet with my constituents Tony Smith, who organised a petition only

on highways England to introduce on highways England to introduce

speed regulation measures? We would be very grateful for that meeting to

advance of the campaign. I meet with local road safety campaigners on a

regular basis. And I particularly meet families who have lost loved

ones in road safety incidents. These are some pretty difficult meetings

but I would be happy to meet with the honourable lady and her

constituent. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Road safety targets were introduced

by the Thatcher government in 1980 at a time when death and serious

injury on the roads were at horrendous levels. The numbers fell

consistently until 2011 when the Coalition government abolished

targets almost at the same time as the grants for speed cameras.

Surprisingly, the numbers have increased. I accept we are nowhere

near the levels of 1980. But if it is your loved one, your child, that

does not matter. The last time the minister was asked about Busey said

he was open to any useful ideas on how to turn the trend. -- asked

about this he said. Road safety targets, decreasing the number of

deaths and injuries on the roads, they did work and at the moment

nothing big and seems to be doing is reversing this trend. -- the

Government seems to be doing. If you look at the action the Government is

undertaking, the drug driving legislation is, increasing mobile

phone penalties and so on, our efforts to take road safety further

is significant. If policy-making was as simple as setting targets, Gordon

Brown would have left a very government and nobody pretends he

did that. Question number nine, Mr Speaker. Noise is measured around

Heathrow by a set of monitors to make sure of effective monitoring,

we have instructed the aviation authority to validate data from

these monitors and annual reports are published on the basis of this

information. I thank him for that answer. Currently planes are flying

at too low and altitude, causing excessive noise pollution over homes

and schools in my constituency. Will he meet with me to discuss how the

new noise commission can better prevent medically unsafe noise

levels from aircraft flying over residential areas? I am very well

aware of the concerns of her constituents and others around the

aircraft like the a 380 as it comes into Heathrow Airport. We need to

get this right. I hope it will be helped by the Essbase modernisation

programme. We are pressing ahead with the commission on civil

aviation. -- airbase. We have had a number of sensible thoughts about

how to address the problem and I would be happy to meet with her to

discuss the issue. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Thousands of my

constituents will live under a very loud noise environment if and when

the third runway goes ahead that they did not at the moment. I

welcome the campaign group Brentford and Hounslow stop Heathrow

expansion. Will the Government insist it the third runway goes

ahead that Heathrow matches the Gatwick of to compensate all council

tax payers within the 57 contour to pay ?1000 per annum? I don't think

it is a bad comparison between airports. At Heathrow we have a

world beating package of compensation for those affected.

Which combined with the rapid change with new aircraft, which are much

quieter than what we have seen before, and alongside that, plans

for the modernisation of airspace, and I think the need to have the

best possible angles of approach into Heathrow to minimise the impact

on local residents, I think collectively we are taking the right

approach to what I know is a difficult issue for her and others

and we try to get the right balance. Does he agree that one of the best

ways to reduce congestion and air and noise pollution would be better

use of regional airports? Does he agree that reducing air passenger

duty would be a good incentive for this? I strongly support the

regional airports. There are some great success stories at regional

airports, including, I suspect, in his own regional airport, Birmingham

airport, which has been very successful in recent years. But I am

afraid he has to make representations about air passenger

duty to the Chancellor at Treasury questions. Can the secretary of

state explain why the consultation on the draft National policy

statement promoted improved certainty of respite from aircraft

noise from an expanded Heathrow, but fails to mention it would be reduced

from eight hours a day to only six, or even four hours? We have tried to

set out in broad terms the impact of the change. It is certainly the case

that compared with a fully mixed mode operation at Gatwick, Heathrow

across three runways can offer respite in a way that was not

assumed by the airport commissioner in considering both proposals. The

impact on neighbouring communities is one factor among many the

commission considered and the Government did, as well. Thank you,

Mr Speaker. No assessment has been made on the merits of establishing a

road collision investigation unit. There are well established

investigation units in the police service and effective ways to

support conclusions and outcomes. The government does fund a programme

of detailed investigations under the road accident in depth study in

conjunction with police forces, coroners and hospitals. He knows my

interest in this as chair of the International Council for road

safety research. There is no doubt we have an investigation unit for C,

air and rail. -- the seas. Across the board they are in favour of such

a unit being set up. We do not think it will be costly, it will be

effective. Will he think again? I am aware of his long established

interest in road safety as a campaigner for stock I refer back to

the earlier incident. We have got well-established investigations in

the police service. --. I refer back to the earlier incident. Collisions

have a range of causes but one is undoubtedly the poor condition of

local roads. The Minister will be aware of the survey published this

week, showing one in six will not be fit for purpose in five years. And

the none of potholes per authority fell 19% last year. -- the number of

potholes. Will he accept a short-term fix is no substitute for

proper resurfacing which for most roads happens only once every 55

years? The condition of local roads is the responsibility of the local

highways authority. We are keen to support them. I recognise there is a

backlog. I have seen projections on how it -- how much it will cost to

fill. We have allocated record amounts of money to support the

authorities, at over 6 billion in this Parliament, including ?250

million specifically to help fix potholes. Number 11, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The government has an ambitious strategy

for tackling congestion across the country. In oxygen it includes

investing 35 million for public transport improvement on the A40.

Improvement for Didcot station, car park expansion and investing ?9.4

million in the next financial year to reduce congestion at key

locations across the county. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Congestion between

Whitby and Oxford causes daily misery for commuters and restricts

the comic growth of this vital dynamic area. It is vital a complete

solution is found. While ?35 million for the public transport solution is

welcome, can the Minister tell me what steps the garment will take to

provide funding for a complete solution to the congestion on this

busy road? -- government. He speaks of vigorously on the behalf of his

constituency. We recognise the importance of the local roads to the

economic growth in the area. That is why we are supporting the transit

scheme with 35 million of local funding for the corridor. I would

encourage local partners to continue working together to explore more

options to address the issues along this stretch. I would be happy to

discuss any of the options with my honourable friend. I'm afraid

Newcastle is too far away and! It the members would like to come in on

some other questions. The road is not that big. David Hanson. Number

12, Mr Speaker. The Government is investing in major

signal renewals in North Wales to improve reliability on the line.

After years of waiting, this will improve connectivity between North

Wales, West Cheshire, and Liverpool, including John Lennon airport. The

recently announced fund will support local authority investment on the

corridor between Chester and Wrexham. I am grateful. The Minister

knows I support all of these initiatives. Can he look at the

letter sent to him by Conservative and Labour members of Parliament on

behalf of the Mersey Alliance and Cheshire East Council to look at the

developers of HS2 and the harbour at Crewe. If he can build on that

progress on the half of all of us in the region will stop I know about

the letter. I discussed the issue gas --.

--. I discussed the issue yesterday. We will be bringing forward our

thoughts shortly but I assure him that it is very much top of my mind

in the Department. Mid Wales has difficulty with transport links in

North, South and indeed to England. I can assure you it is worth the

journey and the difficulty in getting there. What can he do to

make sure road links are improved in mid Wales? We will do our bit on the

English side of the border. We are spending more money than ever before

on the road network in England. But I fear he will have to look to

Cardiff for improvements which will provide that for his constituency.

It is a lovely part of the country and all of us would of course want

to visit it. Mr Derek Twigg. The Minister mentioned my campaign for

many years. It opens many possibilities. Can I ask, not least,

the conductivity with lawsuit Wales, -- North Wales, will he look at the

importance of reopening the station and talk to the new regional Maher

about how that might be enacted upon quickly? -- Mayor. I had a meeting

with the man that I hope will be the next Mayor, the Conservative

candidate! He has ambitious plans to improve the structure in and around

the Merseyside region. On the 1st of March, the Department

announced the three companies who are short listed to bid for the next

East Midlands franchise. A public consultation will be held in very

short due course, followed by the publication of the invitation to

tender and the stakeholder briefing document. I welcome that answer. In

the context of the work on the franchise, can the Minister reassure

me and my constituents that when did you franchises awarded, my

constituents will see new, modern Rolling stock capable of operating

on diesel and electric lines on this route, and will see later services

on Sunday services operating on the popular Ivanhoe line? He is quite

right to campaign on behalf of the Ivanhoe line and his constituents,

as he is clearly doing. I hope all members of Parliament across these

Midlands will contribute to the consultation, making clear what they

want to see in a new franchise. We look forward to reading those

responses. When the franchise 's letter, the HS2s is going to be

phased out, they have reached the end to a lowlife. Will they be

replaced with hybrid trains that will not have to be changed again

when the Midland mainline is eventually electrified? He'll to

forgive me for taking a somewhat elliptical response, but we are

continuing to look at the options on rolling stock on this route, working

closely with both the current franchisee and preferred bidders for

the franchises. We have to make an announcement in due course. As the

honourable Juddmonte has just heard, the timetable options for the new

franchise are still under development. Once it is complete and

we have reviewed the response to the public consultation we will have a

much better idea of what we wanted the bidders to deliver against.

Clearly, that will include significant improvements, where

possible, to services to and from Kettering. The junction between the

suburban service out of St Pancras, to Corby, and the Midland mainline

service to Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield, the connectivity from

Kettering North was halved by the last Labour government to one train

per hour. Will the Minister make it one of his top priority is to

reinstate the half-hour service northwards. He will know that we

have discussed at some length the opportunity to expand the services,

and I am sure I will be reminded time and time again that a path is

being created on this route. I am looking forward to seeing how the

consultation recommends it be best deployed and I am sure Kettering

will feature heavily in the LinkedIn.

The annual bus satisfaction survey in the autumn 16 report that was

published last week, overall, bus passenger survey results scored up

87%. The Manchester evening News run its own survey, in response to the

question which part would you like to see most improved, more than one

in 5.2 porpoise services. -- one in five pointed to poor bus services.

What reassurance can the Minister give to Greater Manchester bus users

that combines are being heard? I would draw their attention to the

commitment to finance the grant, during the course of the parliament,

and draw their attention to the services bill that received its

reading on Monday. Either I or the Minister of State responsible for

the issue have had any contact with the Scottish Government so far about

the devolution of ship to ship transfer. The transfer did need

improvement. Our intention will be to review the process around the

application and assessment of land leg licenses, in consultation with

devolved administrations later this year. I thank the Minister, local

governments are unconvinced about the safety of ship to ship oil

transfers. It is a European designated area for bottlenosed

dolphins. I am pleased he is able to take up the case with Scottish

ministers, and I also hope he would look at devolving the powers, if

that is appropriate. The application was not suitable, and they are

looking at making a further application, in the event that Lott

is submitted, there will be a full consultation exercise and it will

involve the Scottish Government, and will be formally consulted. I regard

litter collection by Highways England as an important part of

their duties. The department recently asked how England was to

identify the worst spots, they were targeted in early March. Highways

England are responsible for cleaning litter on the motorway and the

network, 2.5% of the road network. Every year they remove 200,000 sacks

of litter from the roadside. Over 2000 people responded to my recent

Rural Residents Survey, in Kent, and one of the most common concerns was

litter, especially on the A2 and the M2. Can my honourable friend advise

what steps he is taking to make sure that Highways England fulfil their

duty to keep roads clean? This is an issue which is constantly raised by

ministers with highways England. They have a duty to adhere to the

code of practice on litter and rescues, part of the environmental

protection act. It is one of the things that we monitor very

carefully. She may be interested to know that on the A2, at Marling

cross services, 250 bags of litter were collected. Question 18.

I meet my right honourable friend, the Secretary of State for Exiting

the European Union on a regular basis. Ministers are working closely

to analyse the impact on the aviation industry. We are carefully

monitoring the UK's place in the Common aviation area. The Prime

Minister the Findlay said in her Article 50 speech that we will be

leaving EU institutions, but not Europe, as if that was a good thing.

Aviation safety agencies play a crucial role in excluding any

aircraft or company that have poor safety record is from European

airspace. That safeguards the safeguarding and security of people

across the continent. This government matter has a duty to

passengers in the aviation sector to tell us if the UK will be eight

participant. Are they happy to compromise our economy and passenger

well-being to achieve the Little Bret Hart Brexit? In as friendly as

possible a spirit, there is no danger of her suffering ill health

as a result of excessive hurry. That may be. The honourable lady

does speak an awful lot of nonsense. We do not pursue a Little Britain

strategy. We are looking to build our role in the world. Aviation will

be an important part of that, which is why we are expanding Heathrow

Airport and seeking to expand Heathrow Airport, subject to the

consultation happening at the moment. We will bring forward to

this house and country our proposals in due course. Of course, many of

the international bodies go far beyond the European Union and they

will continue playing a role in bodies going beyond the European

Union. Topical questions, Helen Whately? Last year, I set out a bold

vision for a railway that puts passengers at the heart of

everything it does. We have heard about our plans to deliver more

capacity for commuters on the south-east, and I regard new trains

on the south-eastern network as a priority for this government The. I

also announced new departures on the south-western routes, with a new

franchise, with the experience of NCR, who deliver 99% of reliability

on their current network, that will mean more trains, faster journeys

and more space for passengers. I think that will bring a better

transformation for passengers in a way that we are also working to do

with passengers around Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff and those around

London. Thank you. The recently published Kent corridor to M25 would

strategy identifies my constituency as a congestion and accident

hotspot. Can my right honourable friend confirm that his department

is considering significant investment in this junction? Mr

Speaker, we are in the process of digesting the strategy is provided

by Highways England. They provided the blueprint for the project we

need to deliver two is the points of congestion. At this early stage, I

cannot give a commitment to individual projects. What I would

say is that we are looking very carefully at that study and others,

and we are seized of the need to make sure we address problems like

the ones she address. Three years ago, the Law Commission recommended

wholesale reform of taxi and private hire services, but the government

The Has not responded. Uber proliferate, they pay no VAT.

Another ten adviser, who lo and behold now runs the Uber, isn't it

time we saw some urgent action on the half of the sexual state

regarding the taxi and private hire industry? While he's at it, the way

which his party runs his sure theocracy? I have to say, given the

current state of the Labour Party, I'm not sure I would go down that

road if I were him. We are currently looking at what the best approaches

to the future regulation structure of our taxi and private hire

services. I have to say, I see a particular priority and that as

being able to ensure public safety. That is work we're doing, local

authorities are doing, we want to deliver the right for that. Our job

is to ensure that we have the right choice for consumers, the right

options in our marketplace, and we also protect those parts of the

industry, like the London blackouts, which are a national institution,

and which none of us would wish to see disappear. This is about a

measured approach. Some of the most evocative issues lie in the hands of

the London mayor and not of this government. The Luba scandal is not

the only issue of concern right at the heart of this Tory Government,

given its perpetual revolving door employment strategy. We await a

response on how a senior civil servant awarded a rail franchise

while part owning the consultancy advising the successful bidder,

yesterday was announced a just to have dropped a ?170 million

engineering contract. HS2's former chief of staff worked on the

engineering company's bid for the project. Now, the director-general

of HS2 has resigned this morning. I don't agree with a taxpayer Alliance

when I say this does not pass the smell test, it stinks to high

heaven. Will the Secretary of State order an immediate, independent

inquiry into these goings-on? His silence on this issue speaks

volumes. Let's be clear about this. First, in terms of the appointments

to the chief executive role of HS2, I want the best person for the job.

We will always seek to recruit the best person for that job. I will

also ensure that if there are any questions around the recruitment

process, those are addressed carefully, investigated carefully by

the civil service, to give me the reassurance that we can make an

appointment without any concern about doing so. That we did. I have

absolute confidence in the recruitment process and in that new

chief executive. The announcement made yesterday that they had decided

to withdraw from contracting, after an issue, not a massive one, but an

issue emerged with the contracting process, is the right one. I am

grateful for her doing that. I want to make sure the contracting

processes in Government recruit the right expertise, corporate or

individual, but were also robust in making sure that if things are not

done right, it is addressed. That is what has happened. Has the

government map or given any consideration to the proposal by Sir

John Arnott for UK national investment bank, which would be very

handy, for example, to support projects like the bridge from

sharpness to my constituency? I know about my honourable friend's

interest in that potential. What I would say is that, firstly, Sir John

is a very important adviser to Government through his role in a

number of different roles. I very much respect and value his

expertise. What I would also say is that there is a substantial amount

of private finance out there, looking for projects to develop. We

are always welcoming serious proposals to improve the

infrastructure, supported by private finance. Earlier on, the Minister

may have inadvertently missed part of a question from my honourable

friend from Liverpool Riverside. When will transport for the North be

put on a statutory basis? Well, I can say that I have told the

department that I am happy with that. With the tourist season

approaching, does he agree with me that electrification of the Western

rail line is vital for bringing more tourists to Wales? Will he give us

an update on the Government's progress in that area? He is quite

right to identify that we need to improve the service on the great

Western mainline, particularly to Cardiff, Swansea and beyond. We are

looking at the options for how we can deliver passenger benefits.

There is re-franchising commencing shortly. We look forward to hearing

all of the ideas of honourable members from both sides of the

house. The Davis commission with absolutely

explicit that when the third runway for Heathrow is completed, the waste

plant will need to be replaced, and yet the national policy statement on

Heathrow from the minister simply says that its impact on the waste

stream will require assessment. In view of the fact that in this area

it is going to be difficult to find an appropriate place to replace that

important facility for getting rid of landfill, will the minister

change the national policy statements to make sure that the

commitment to replace the energy from the waste plant is maintained?

I am well aware of this issue and this is a consultation on a draft

national policy statement. The ultimate decisions about that plant

will be a matter for the owners of the plant and Heathrow Airport. Both

are putting appropriate arrangements are putting appropriate arrangements

in place in order for things to go ahead, but they take on board her

comments for that consultation. This Sunday is a historic day, as

elsewhere finally reconnects with the rest of the railway network.

This would not have been possible without the ?6.6 million fund grant

provided by this government. Does the minister agree this is money

well spent and will encourage people to use the trains to visit Ilkeston

and used the local economy? I am very glad to hear that Ilkeston was

looking forward to utilising its train services. I am heartened by

members from both sides of the how to approach me about potential new

railway station on the local network, which is eight welcome

change to when the network was contracting and people see railway

stations as opportunities for growth economically and in terms of

population. I welcome that progress. We are pleased and the Autumn

Statement about the inclusion of an expressway to relieve congestion

between the M-16 and the M6 G2 but that has not been finalised until

2019, as I understand it. -- motor 16 and made to 62. We need that

urgently to facilitate new housing. Whether it be possible to arrange a

further meeting to see what we can do to bring this project forward as

soon as possible? As the minister is not here I am very happy to put

states in his diary and I am sure that will be achievable! My right

honourable friend the member for Newark may have been trapped in the

roadworks around Newark on his way home to Lincolnshire. My

constituents are the happiest of any constituency in the country, as you

may have seen. But they are kept awake at night actually very

seriously by the spate of terrible accidents on the A1 between Grantham

and Retford. Will the minister commission a full review of safety

along the A1 particularly at Newark but through this very dangerous

stretch from Grantham to Retford? The honourable gentleman did in fact

write to me to explain that he would be absent today. And I detected in

his letter of very considerable sense of regret that he would be

outside of this country rather than in this chamber. Personally, I found

it difficult, but we have done our best. We have managed without him

today but I look forward to the return of the right honourable

gentleman for the subsequent session. My right honourable friend

is actually in China. He is not delayed around Newark. But I would

be very happy to look into the issues raised by my honourable

friend. Anyone who has ever driven between the great cities of

Sheffield and Manchester will undoubtedly have been caught in

congestion along my constituency. The first public inquiry into a

solution was in 1967, and for the seven years I have been MP, I have

raised it repeatedly so I am pleased to see a consultation on a bypass

route which is now open as part of the trans-Pennine programme. Would

he join us in getting that route sorted? I have met with the right

honourable gentleman and I have been to see the particular problems in

his area and I agree that they are acute. I invite everybody to

participate in the consultation to get this problem finally solved.

With billions of pounds of taxpayers' money at take, clearly

after the announcement last night on HS2, confidence in the transparency

and the decision-making processes in HS2 Limited and CH2M have been

called seriously into question. With CH2M, did they jump or where they

pushed? The company giving up a ?170 million contract is enormous. And

will he give this House an undertaking that no further

contracts will be issued to other bidders further down the line before

a full inquiry has been conducted into the decision-making processes

in HS2 and CH2M? Mr Speaker, I don't normally like to differ from

honourable friend. I am very clear on this. CH2M have done the right

thing in taking a step back having identified a problem that would have

called into question whether they could and should operate this

contract. This was not the mass of misdemeanour. It was an error in the

process that has caused them to take a step back. It will now be for the

board of HS2 and its independent directors to make sure that in

taking this contract forward, they do the right thing. But from the

point of view of the country, it is important that we get on with the

job as well. We will have all the necessary governance in place as we

go through the process of replacing CH2M but we do need to get on with

the job. My constituents have endured all the destruction and

chaos while the template programme is going on at London Bridge. --

Thames link. They did so hoping they would get a better service but they

are incandescent with rage that they are cutting services to Charing

Cross and Victoria and reducing off-peak services. This is not

agree to meet with meet to discuss agree to meet with meet to discuss

is a consultation and we haven't taken any decisions that we haven't

even got an intent. This is about asking people. There are ways of

running this railway that could potentially make it more efficient,

what do you think? And if the answer is that we don't want you to do

that, we will listen. I focus for the local passengers and local

railways is to deliver more capacity, the best reliability and

in particular longer trains, and all of those things are firmly on our

agenda. Mr Speaker, the CH2M problem is a bigger problem for my

constituents. It is very welcome that the viaduct have been changed

to a tunnel, but more changes are needed. I constituents want to know

if this delay is any potential changes or decisions affecting their

lives? No, it doesn't. On Saturday I am speaking at Newcastle Cycling's

annual general meeting. What can I say to encourage them that the

government is doing everything to bring cycling to everybody when the

average cyclist is male, white, middle-class, under 40 and in Lycra?

The honourable lady is absolutely right that cycling does need to

broaden out and part of the plan we will be launching shortly will be to

help local authorities set up their local cycling and walking investment

plans which will include broadening the range of people who will be

potential cyclists hopefully. Last Friday, the 8.34 between Stafford

and Stoke was gridlocked because of the closure of the Msix for several

hours. This affected my constituents and the entire north-south commerce.

What plans does the government have or HS2 when it comes through

Staffordshire cutting all the main arterial routes to make sure we do

not get a repeat of this kind of congestion? The planning for the

construction phase of HS2 is obviously a critical part of

delivering this project. And as a part of that there is local

engagement between HS2 and Highways England, and also the local highways

authorities. The honourable gentleman is right to highlight the

potential risk but all the conversations and collaborations are

taking place to make sure that does not happen. Last November, the

railway minister sat in a meeting with 15 colleagues including three

Cabinet ministers and promised additional carriages for the

south-eastern network. This can't be kicked into the long grass. It can't

be delayed until the new franchise. It needs to happen now. When and how

many? It is not being delayed until the new franchise. It is already

going to happen very soon, as I explained in earlier questions. We

have already had a proposal from South-eastern for new carriages and

we are looking at it now. We have only had it a week and we want it to

happen as soon as possible. The extension to the Metropolitan line

at crocs Lee Green is running into financial difficulties. What

assessment has my right honourable friend made for the project at what

discussions are taking place between the Mayor of London and Transport

for London? Hertfordshire County Council and the Department for

Transport provided money to Transport for London for the

extension work. The agreement was that Transport for London would meet

any costs above the agreed price and would retain any funds below it.

That agreement was reached a couple of years ago. Quite a chunk of money

has already been spent including the acquisition of a train. It is for

the Mayor of London to complete this project and I have asked him for his

plans to do so. If the Secretary of State aware that it cannot easily

brush off what has happened with that fiasco of HS2 and the

resignation? Will he also take into account that now is the time, very

opportune, to get rid of that stupid idea of having two HS2 lines running

through the county of Derbyshire, one called the new Tim Spey, which

will lose us 1000 jobs in the area, knocked down 32 houses, it is called

the dawdle through Derbyshire. Well, I'll is enjoy the honourable

gentleman's questions but it is not a dawdle through Derbyshire. -- I

always enjoy. It is a consultation on how we get the route through

South Yorkshire. There is no consensus upon this matter, it would

be fair to say. I have met with the honourable gentleman and colleagues

from South Yorkshire and we will be responding to that consultation

later this year. The point is how do we maximise the opportunities with

South Yorkshire and the East Midlands from HS2? These

opportunities will be significant and the honourable gentleman should

be getting behind the project and working with us to mitigate the

impact and recognising the positive economic impact that HS2 will have

on our country. We are running late but I want to hear two more. The

people of Brock stoa looking forward to HS2 coming, where we will have

the East Midlands hub, and considerable benefit. Can I thank

the minister for his visit to Trowell because in Trowell there is

not opposition to the root necessarily, although there is

concern, but to a 60 feet viaduct that will deliver HS2? Would the

minister would be so good to confirm that he will do everything he can to

make sure that HS2 looks at all options to deliver HS2 through the

East Midlands and through Trowell, a village? I much enjoyed my visit to

the area and to Trowell and to see the economic impact it will have on

businesses there, but also to look at the allegations were local

communities. I will of course be very happy to take every action we

can to make sure this works for everybody including the mitigation

that the honourable lady is suggesting. We want to minimise the

impact and maximise the benefits from this exciting project. Back in

the 2015 to bed, the parliamentary undersecretary of state said he

stock is coming to the end of its stock is coming to the end of its

life and there were looking towards a new fleet. This was in relation to

the Tyne and we're Metro. Since we are now two years on, can he say

when we are going to invest in the Metro? I have met with them and we

are hoping to make it happen very soon. Order. On the 8th of September

2016, I announced to the House the launch of a new initiative, the

Speaker's democracy award. The intention of this award is to allow

this House to recognise and celebrate individuals who have

championed democracy or brought about social change in an emerging

democracy. A number of excellent nominations were received from

honourable and right honourable members, and following a meeting of

the judging committee, I am pleased to be able to tell the House that

mafia men an MP is the winner in this, the inaugural year of the

awards. -- Ms Memon. She is the chairperson of the income support

programme in