0:00:16 > 0:00:20Welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage of the House of Commons.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24Andrea Letson will announce next week's business in the chamber and
0:00:24 > 0:00:27take questions from MPs. There will be a select committee statement by
0:00:27 > 0:00:33the chair of the International development committee on the
0:00:33 > 0:00:40Rohnigya crisis. There will then be a discussion of the treatment of
0:00:40 > 0:00:43small and large businesses by the Royal Bank of Scotland. There will
0:00:43 > 0:00:48then be a general debate to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2018 which
0:00:48 > 0:00:54will take place on Saturday 27th of January. Join me for a round-up of
0:00:54 > 0:00:59the day in both Houses of Parliament at 11 o'clock tonight. First we have
0:00:59 > 0:01:01questions to the Transport Secretary Chris Gayle Grayling and his team of
0:01:01 > 0:01:11ministers.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Order, order, questions to be Secretary of State for Transport,
0:01:20 > 0:01:31Neil Gray.In this first parliamentary questions, the year of
0:01:31 > 0:01:34engineering, I would like to put on record my thanks to my honourable
0:01:34 > 0:01:41friend, the member for safe Holland and Blackpool North, for all of the
0:01:41 > 0:01:46work they have done. The Government wants to protect as many community
0:01:46 > 0:01:53transport services as possible. We'll be discussing the of payments
0:01:53 > 0:02:01and...I thank the Minister for the answer. He will be a weird the
0:02:01 > 0:02:05estimation is that this proposal will cause the industry £37 million
0:02:05 > 0:02:11and each driver a lot of money. The driver is taking a sledgehammer to
0:02:11 > 0:02:16crack a nut. What is the minister say about my constituency which
0:02:16 > 0:02:20provides essential committee transport services and have no
0:02:20 > 0:02:23interest in being a commercial entity and could be lost to the
0:02:23 > 0:02:29community under these plans?I don't recognise the description a
0:02:29 > 0:02:33gentleman gives. I have been up and down the country talking to
0:02:33 > 0:02:37committee transport schemes and it's not at all clear the implications
0:02:37 > 0:02:42for local committee transport operators has been suggested. In the
0:02:42 > 0:02:46one case has been tested, it has been referred back her evidence
0:02:46 > 0:02:51gathering.I am very grateful to the Minister for having visited my
0:02:51 > 0:02:55constituency where he saw great work being done. He will know that the
0:02:55 > 0:03:02assurance by such companies all over the country is urgently sought. Well
0:03:02 > 0:03:05any action that is proposed by the transport Commissioner reflect upon
0:03:05 > 0:03:10the consultation taking place or will it be taking place in any
0:03:10 > 0:03:15event?The consultation will be taking place in any event. The
0:03:15 > 0:03:20details will be announced shortly. I greatly enjoyed my visit to see your
0:03:20 > 0:03:30constituency, they were a model of good practice.I thank the Minister.
0:03:30 > 0:03:37Whilst I understand the governorate has said it is not going to end the
0:03:37 > 0:03:41arrangements, the letter they in July of last year has caused what
0:03:41 > 0:03:45the transport select committee have said is paralysis in the
0:03:45 > 0:03:48not-for-profit sector. Don't we need clarity from the Government about
0:03:48 > 0:03:52what it's intending to do so it can demonstrate real support to the
0:03:52 > 0:03:57community transport sector including firms in my constituency?I am
0:03:57 > 0:04:04grateful to him for welcoming me to my job, I am sorry to have not made
0:04:04 > 0:04:08more of an impact on him, if not the sector, I have been in it for a
0:04:08 > 0:04:16while. He will have seen the testimony that I and one of my
0:04:16 > 0:04:20officials gave which put to rest of the question of whether or not the
0:04:20 > 0:04:30letter was inappropriate, there has been concern. The vast majority will
0:04:30 > 0:04:41be compliant. We expect it to be successful in further concerns.The
0:04:41 > 0:04:46bid for some of their services competitively. Those services are
0:04:46 > 0:04:49cross subsidising vital community services and they are doing exactly
0:04:49 > 0:04:53what the county council urged them to do. Can the Minister give
0:04:53 > 0:04:58reassurance urgently? These are vital services could go under and
0:04:58 > 0:05:03left that uncertainty ends.The traffic commissioners are acting
0:05:03 > 0:05:10speedily and effectively. I expect the consultation to continue to give
0:05:10 > 0:05:12through the proposed exemptions and workarounds we have been looking at
0:05:12 > 0:05:24further comfort to the sector.Mr Speaker, we are investing more than
0:05:24 > 0:05:27£400 million in the rail network in the south-west which includes a
0:05:27 > 0:05:31fleet of brand-new trains for services to Devon and Cornwall
0:05:31 > 0:05:34entering service later this year, transforming journeys for
0:05:34 > 0:05:37passengers, we are continuing to work with Network Rail and the
0:05:37 > 0:05:47peninsular rail task force.I welcome the Minister to his new job.
0:05:47 > 0:05:53The Waterloo to Exeter line serves the southern part of the
0:05:53 > 0:05:57constituency, it is a great rail line and needs a second look to get
0:05:57 > 0:06:00more trains into Exeter and back-up to London. Could the Minister give
0:06:00 > 0:06:07me details on what's happening with that?The Devon Metro proposals for
0:06:07 > 0:06:11enhanced rail services in the Exeter area include aspirations for
0:06:11 > 0:06:15additional local services between Axminster and Exeter. This is a
0:06:15 > 0:06:19local scheme by Devon County Council and we will continue to provide
0:06:19 > 0:06:25assistance as they develop their proposals.I welcome the Minister to
0:06:25 > 0:06:28his new position. The Minister will be aware that the Government missed
0:06:28 > 0:06:32the Christmas deadline for funding the three-minute speed reduction
0:06:32 > 0:06:36between Plymouth and Exeter, and just £600,000, why did the
0:06:36 > 0:06:42Government not back the south-west? I can assure the honourable member
0:06:42 > 0:06:45this is not the case and we are looking closely at this issue and
0:06:45 > 0:06:50are working on it within the Department and Network Rail.I
0:06:50 > 0:06:55welcome the Minister to his place. One of the key improvements that
0:06:55 > 0:06:59have been made for my constituents would be a new station. Does he
0:06:59 > 0:07:05share the enthusiasm of his predecessor about this project and
0:07:05 > 0:07:11it is the perfect thing to give new stations funding?Idea share his
0:07:11 > 0:07:17enthusiasm for this department. We are currently investing over £40
0:07:17 > 0:07:20billion an hour network including over £15 billion on bail
0:07:20 > 0:07:23enhancements as part of the biggest real modernisation programme for
0:07:23 > 0:07:31over a century.Thank you. I welcome the Minister to his post. I would
0:07:31 > 0:07:36like to ask him if you could clarify when the electrification programme
0:07:36 > 0:07:39for the railways in the south-west, including the chunk to Bristol, when
0:07:39 > 0:07:48is it going to be an paused?What we're looking at is how we can
0:07:48 > 0:07:52deliver the outcomes for passengers and that's what's important, we are
0:07:52 > 0:07:55delivering the same benefits more efficiently at a lower cost to
0:07:55 > 0:07:59taxpayers, faster journey times, better trains. That's why I think
0:07:59 > 0:08:04honourable members will want to welcome the new fleet of 29 Hitachi
0:08:04 > 0:08:17trains, Mr Speaker, who are going to be serving this part of the country.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Mr Speaker, this Government is committed to improving station
0:08:20 > 0:08:23access for disabled people including those with hidden disabilities,
0:08:23 > 0:08:27further funding for an access for all will be made available in the
0:08:27 > 0:08:30next control period and we are introducing me accessibility
0:08:30 > 0:08:36commitments as part of franchises. Whenever the industry carries an
0:08:36 > 0:08:39infrastructure work at stations, it must meet standards, I must say
0:08:39 > 0:08:42thank you to the member for Blackpool North and it legally had a
0:08:42 > 0:08:50huge amount of work in accessibility across all transports.Thank you. As
0:08:50 > 0:08:54chair of the old Parliamentary group for disability, I have heard
0:08:54 > 0:08:58accounts from people right across the UK about lack of access to both
0:08:58 > 0:09:02underground and railway stations, how this contributes to isolation
0:09:02 > 0:09:12and social exclusion from Mr. In order to improve things as we go
0:09:12 > 0:09:16forward, would the Minister kindly agreed to come to discuss the
0:09:16 > 0:09:19progress that can be made with the all-party group going forward so
0:09:19 > 0:09:24that we can work together and collaborate?I am aware of the
0:09:24 > 0:09:28honourable member's work in the all-party Parliamentary group for
0:09:28 > 0:09:36disability, I was chair of pallet -- party Parliamentary group as well.
0:09:36 > 0:09:3975% of all platforms are accessible through steps, but there is so much
0:09:39 > 0:09:43more work we need to do. All train operated companies and Network Rail
0:09:43 > 0:09:47are required to disabled people's protection policy as part of the
0:09:47 > 0:09:50licence. She was involved in contributing to the draft
0:09:50 > 0:09:55accessibility action plan, which has a number of recommendations, and I
0:09:55 > 0:09:57look forward to meeting with her and making sure those are followed
0:09:57 > 0:10:05through.Having previously chaired the site lost grip, perhaps the
0:10:05 > 0:10:12Minister would recognise guide dogs, across Europe, a quality disability
0:10:12 > 0:10:18training is standard for bus drivers since 2013. The UK's opt out runs
0:10:18 > 0:10:22out on March one. I asked about this last week and the fact the Minister
0:10:22 > 0:10:25knew nothing about it didn't sound terribly good for an
0:10:25 > 0:10:30interdepartmental working. Maybe she could tell me, will the UK meet the
0:10:30 > 0:10:36deadline will this be another loss from Brexit?At present, bus drivers
0:10:36 > 0:10:40have to undertake licensing training to make sure they are aware to deal
0:10:40 > 0:10:44with people with visible disabilities, as well as those in
0:10:44 > 0:10:50visible disabilities such as site lost, and drivers are unable to have
0:10:50 > 0:10:53the competency certificates without that training. I will make sure that
0:10:53 > 0:10:56is undertaken at local authority level. If there is a gap, I am happy
0:10:56 > 0:11:02to meet with the member to make sure that is followed up.I take a
0:11:02 > 0:11:07journey on our line service with a person who is a wheelchair user, a
0:11:07 > 0:11:10disabled person using a wheelchair. To demonstrate how inconvenient it's
0:11:10 > 0:11:16going to be when the Victoria line is removed in the new franchise,
0:11:16 > 0:11:21when she has to change at Lewisham. It is incredibly inconvenient, she
0:11:21 > 0:11:25said she wouldn't undertake that journey in future. If the right we
0:11:25 > 0:11:28are designing disabled people out of a real service and will she implore
0:11:28 > 0:11:34her colleagues to change their mind? He is right to raise this. It isn't
0:11:34 > 0:11:39acceptable, but I believe it's going to be addressed later on down the
0:11:39 > 0:11:44line at Charing Cross. If I refer to my earlier response, all train
0:11:44 > 0:11:48operating companies have to comply with disabled people's protection
0:11:48 > 0:11:51policy and if they are unable to, we have to provide alternative
0:11:51 > 0:11:56transport whether it is through an accessible taxi to do next stations
0:11:56 > 0:11:59in the passenger to use, if we have a particular case I am with unhappy
0:11:59 > 0:12:10to follow that up. -- more than happy.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15He will be pleased to hear that because of greater awareness and
0:12:15 > 0:12:19ease of access and compensation, passengers have received twice as
0:12:19 > 0:12:27much compensation as they did in 2016-2017.Thank you, and I
0:12:27 > 0:12:31apologise to arriving late due to train delays. In the East of England
0:12:31 > 0:12:35we're looking forward to our sparkling new trains arriving next
0:12:35 > 0:12:40year, but in the meantime we face delays, and when we have them,
0:12:40 > 0:12:45people should be compensated. Could the Minister possibly look at
0:12:45 > 0:12:49issues, for example, when trains are overcrowded and you have to get the
0:12:49 > 0:12:54next one, often trains cancelled and see if we can find some technical
0:12:54 > 0:12:58improvement.I am glad she welcomes the new trains. Passengers can look
0:12:58 > 0:13:01forward to a complete fleet replacement with over 1000 new
0:13:01 > 0:13:06carriages by the end of 2020, meaning passengers will travel on
0:13:06 > 0:13:16longer and more regular trains.The problems described in Chelmsford are
0:13:16 > 0:13:20the same as my constituents have been experiencing on Northern Rail.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25I am pleased for compensation system recognising delays may be short but
0:13:25 > 0:13:29repeated, and the trains are often overcrowded so they cannot get on
0:13:29 > 0:13:34them. The Minister take this up directly with Northern Rail, since
0:13:34 > 0:13:38my own meetings have produced no progress?That is why it is so
0:13:38 > 0:13:44important that trains are being extended and replaced. The crucial
0:13:44 > 0:13:49thing is where there are delays, passengers are now more aware of and
0:13:49 > 0:13:54have easier access to compensation schemes. Across the system, or over
0:13:54 > 0:14:01£73 million was paid in compensation last year, an increase of almost 64%
0:14:01 > 0:14:03in the previous year.The compensation scheme works upon the
0:14:03 > 0:14:09basis that delays are an exception rather than the rule. Will the
0:14:09 > 0:14:14Minister sit down with me or perhaps follow me on Twitter, so he can see
0:14:14 > 0:14:21the messages I have had every day since work was resumed after the
0:14:21 > 0:14:26holidays on South East trains, with delays and disruption, every day on
0:14:26 > 0:14:34every line.I obviously share his concerns and sympathise with the
0:14:34 > 0:14:38experience of his constituents in Bromley and Chislehurst and other
0:14:38 > 0:14:43constituents in the area. The south-eastern service is one of the
0:14:43 > 0:14:48most congested in the country and has been vulnerable on
0:14:48 > 0:14:57infrastructure changes.Compensation arrangements have to work, so could
0:14:57 > 0:15:03you outline further if you believe the compensation system can be
0:15:03 > 0:15:10streamlined and can be accessible as well?Passengers are accessing
0:15:10 > 0:15:14compensation schemes more easily than ever before, which is reflected
0:15:14 > 0:15:17in the greater take-up of compensation payments, which is
0:15:17 > 0:15:22growing at a far faster rate than any delays in services passengers
0:15:22 > 0:15:26are experiencing. We continue to work with operators to ensure this
0:15:26 > 0:15:29becomes easier for passengers to access, and we will look carefully
0:15:29 > 0:15:37at this in the next franchise renewals process.The Transport
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Secretary, Chris Grayling.The private sector has generated £6
0:15:41 > 0:15:45billion of investment over the past decade, providing new trains,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48upgrading stations and transforming passenger experience.Could I thank
0:15:48 > 0:15:54him for the answer. The irony will not be lost on him that
0:15:54 > 0:16:03public-sector satisfaction is declining. What discussions has his
0:16:03 > 0:16:07department had with Network Rail to change procurement and design
0:16:07 > 0:16:17practices?We have announced the biggest investment programme in our
0:16:17 > 0:16:23railways over the period 2019-2024, but we have experienced since the
0:16:23 > 0:16:28steam age, including £20 billion of renewals. We talk about train
0:16:28 > 0:16:32delays, and one of the reasons is because the infrastructure in many
0:16:32 > 0:16:36places needs renewal, which is why we are spending 20 billion on it. It
0:16:36 > 0:16:39is also important to bring additional private finance alongside
0:16:39 > 0:16:44the investment, and I have been discussing with Network Rail how to
0:16:44 > 0:16:46make that happen.The private sector can only bring investment if he
0:16:46 > 0:16:51knows what the government's plans are going to be. So could he tell me
0:16:51 > 0:16:55know what the latest government position is on the electrification
0:16:55 > 0:16:59of the trans-Pennine line?I received the Probert -- proposals
0:16:59 > 0:17:03for Network Rail, and my aim is we will start the £3 billion upgrade
0:17:03 > 0:17:09within a matter of months, the project is due to get underway next
0:17:09 > 0:17:13year. We're looking at different options but electrification will be
0:17:13 > 0:17:19part the programme.Up until 1992, when the only investment in railways
0:17:19 > 0:17:24was the public sector, the fact was that rail usage was declining. Since
0:17:24 > 0:17:27privatisation we have seen a massive increase in the amount of people
0:17:27 > 0:17:33using railways. Doesn't he agree that is because of the private
0:17:33 > 0:17:39sector and the changes the private sector brought in?I absolutely
0:17:39 > 0:17:41agree and the thing I do not understand about the policy adopted
0:17:41 > 0:17:47by the party opposite is we are seeing the construction of thousands
0:17:47 > 0:17:50and thousands of new carriages funded by the private sector which
0:17:50 > 0:17:54will get rid of some of the legacy trains at British Rail days, which
0:17:54 > 0:17:58were not up to scratch then or now, that is because biggest private
0:17:58 > 0:18:02money coming in alongside our investment programme.The real
0:18:02 > 0:18:05question for the Secretary of State is, does he have the political will
0:18:05 > 0:18:10to make sure there is money available to invest in Northern Rail
0:18:10 > 0:18:17in his generation -- this generation, not tomorrow, today?The
0:18:17 > 0:18:21answer is clearly yes because every train in the north of in the wind is
0:18:21 > 0:18:25being replaced or refurbished as new. All the old Pacer trains are
0:18:25 > 0:18:29going, and we're about to start the trans-Pennine upgrade, which will be
0:18:29 > 0:18:33one third of the total funding available for enhancements of the
0:18:33 > 0:18:40railway between 2099th 2024, which is large investment programme.With
0:18:40 > 0:18:47the sad demise of Correlli, will he confirm that he has carried out a
0:18:47 > 0:18:55full review of the HS2 project, including the business case that
0:18:55 > 0:19:01private sector companies have the capacity to deliver this project
0:19:01 > 0:19:09without serious extra costs to the taxpayer? -- with the demise of
0:19:09 > 0:19:13Carillion.With the demise of Carillion, tragic event for this
0:19:13 > 0:19:22country and corporate Britain, it will not affect the HS2 project. It
0:19:22 > 0:19:27is a three party consortium, and the other two companies are taking over
0:19:27 > 0:19:31responsibility for the projects, apprenticeships and staff are being
0:19:31 > 0:19:38transferred, the project will continue uninterrupted. Thank you.I
0:19:38 > 0:19:42asked the Secretary of State on the 17th of July, the day that Carillion
0:19:42 > 0:19:47were confirmed in the HS2 contract the financial stability of the
0:19:47 > 0:19:51company. He declared himself confident that the expected results
0:19:51 > 0:19:54would be delivered. Given the unfolding events of the last few
0:19:54 > 0:19:58days, as he now reflected and does he now accept he got it
0:19:58 > 0:20:03spectacularly wrong and that his judgment and confidence were
0:20:03 > 0:20:17disastrously misplaced?I do not accept that at all. I have reviewed
0:20:17 > 0:20:27carefully, and I referred to those contracting, and the HS2 project
0:20:27 > 0:20:29will not be affected by this, even to the point where I am pleased to
0:20:29 > 0:20:33be able to say that the apprentices working with Carillion on the
0:20:33 > 0:20:39project so far as simply being transferred to one of the other two
0:20:39 > 0:20:44partners. The work will continue uninterrupted, no delay, and no cost
0:20:44 > 0:20:49implications.On Monday, The Times newspaper said the Transport
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Secretary's decision to award lucrative contracts to an ailing
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Carillion is only the latest worrying misjudgement to come to
0:20:56 > 0:21:01light. It highlighted his trip to Qatar on the day of the biggest rail
0:21:01 > 0:21:07fare hike in years. And also his dysfunctional dealings with trade
0:21:07 > 0:21:12unions and the private sector, saying the Prime Minister needs to
0:21:12 > 0:21:16consider whether it is time that this Transport Secretary left the
0:21:16 > 0:21:23station. Hasn't The Times got it absolutely right?The only station I
0:21:23 > 0:21:27will be leaving is Euston station this morning on a visit to the
0:21:27 > 0:21:37Midlands. What I would say to him is that there has been no £2 billion
0:21:37 > 0:21:41bailout of Virgin Trains East Coast, that the contracting with Carillion
0:21:41 > 0:21:44was not with them but what a consortium of companies who are
0:21:44 > 0:21:48equally responsible for delivering the contract, and I am very happy to
0:21:48 > 0:21:52stand here to defend the record of a government that has done more for
0:21:52 > 0:21:57the transport system in decades, in sharp contrast with what the party
0:21:57 > 0:22:00opposite did over 30 years in government, which was very little
0:22:00 > 0:22:14indeed.Question six. Oh, not question number six!Figures show a
0:22:14 > 0:22:30significant increase, totalling £1.7 billion in 2016-17. £2 billion
0:22:30 > 0:22:37investment on the road network in the South. Apologies.I very much
0:22:37 > 0:22:41welcome the funding commitment to the notorious road in my
0:22:41 > 0:22:48constituency, and I am pleased local concerns were listened to, for a new
0:22:48 > 0:22:51consultation, which opened this week with three proposals. But I would
0:22:51 > 0:22:56like to seek assurances that this upgrade will not only deliver
0:22:56 > 0:23:00strongly by strategically, it will deliver for a local people and
0:23:00 > 0:23:09productivity in Taunton.The Stu roads are crucial part of the
0:23:09 > 0:23:12investment in the West Country, or bring in new corded for people
0:23:12 > 0:23:21travelling to the south-west, but they have to work and I can give her
0:23:21 > 0:23:24my assurance that I will work with her to make sure the project
0:23:24 > 0:23:32delivers for the region and nationally.Is some evidence that
0:23:32 > 0:23:38trains from Paddington to Bristol onwards are much better, less
0:23:38 > 0:23:41crowded, more reliable. But to get from the south-west to the Midlands
0:23:41 > 0:23:47at the moment, you face delays, overcrowded trains, and they are
0:23:47 > 0:23:51very unreliable.Will he put funding into those lines? I am aware of the
0:23:51 > 0:23:56congestion problems. We will be re-electing the franchise shortly,
0:23:56 > 0:24:00and one of the things I want to see is longer trains with more capacity.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05All of us who travel from time to time now that those strains are too
0:24:05 > 0:24:11short for the loads carried, and we need to find a way to sort it out.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16Cramped trains even outside the services are increasingly the norm
0:24:16 > 0:24:19for my constituents, on top of delays and cancellations. Cross
0:24:19 > 0:24:26country need to raise the game, does my honourable friend agree?I do
0:24:26 > 0:24:29agree, and it is a question across the country of making sure we have
0:24:29 > 0:24:34longer trains for the future. It is what the private sector is
0:24:34 > 0:24:37delivering, and it needs to happen on cross-country trains as well.On
0:24:37 > 0:24:42the issue of funding, Cardiff Central rail station, the deadliest
0:24:42 > 0:24:54in Wales, is in need of -- the busiest in Wales, is in need of
0:24:54 > 0:24:59funding. The project can only go ahead if there is also UK funding.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03When will that be confirmed? The important thing about Cardiff
0:25:03 > 0:25:08Central is the refuge -- there is a huge development taking place, and I
0:25:08 > 0:25:11have met developers and local politicians, and what I want to see
0:25:11 > 0:25:15there is what I want to see in other parts, which is an integration of
0:25:15 > 0:25:25stations element, with commercial development. This should be an
0:25:25 > 0:25:30integration project.Highways England are making good progress
0:25:30 > 0:25:44with upgrades on the corridor to improve links to Medway Kent.Given
0:25:44 > 0:25:46the impressive growth and regeneration Medway has seen over
0:25:46 > 0:25:52the past 20 years and will continue to see, I thank the government for
0:25:52 > 0:25:57the £6 billion Euro Thames crossing. Can he confirm that the programme
0:25:57 > 0:26:03will go with that, so areas like Medway can benefit fully?The lower
0:26:03 > 0:26:12Thames crossing is a transformation with enormous benefits, and we
0:26:12 > 0:26:17announced... On the local transport said, it is worth noting that the
0:26:17 > 0:26:23south-west has committed £600 million, supporting around 30
0:26:23 > 0:26:27transport schemes in Kent and Medway, ensuring continued economic
0:26:27 > 0:26:33growth.One of the big investment is announced for the South East is the
0:26:33 > 0:26:38Oxford or Cambridge Expressway going through Botley in my constituency.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42The people in my constituency are very worried. Could I invite him to
0:26:42 > 0:26:46come to Botley to meet the residents and lay there are concerns about
0:26:46 > 0:26:51possible bulldozing of houses?
0:26:51 > 0:26:53I would be delighted to come and meet the residents and discuss these
0:26:53 > 0:27:03concerns.Last week in my constituency there was a horrific
0:27:03 > 0:27:09crash when a car ran into a parked lorry. Three men have died and one
0:27:09 > 0:27:13is seriously injured. I am not contributing blame, we don't know
0:27:13 > 0:27:16what happened, but the Minister will note that lorry parking is a
0:27:16 > 0:27:21long-running problem in my area of Kent. Will he meet with me and
0:27:21 > 0:27:24representatives of Kent County Council and drivers in lorry parks
0:27:24 > 0:27:27to see what we can do to speed up the provision of increased lorry
0:27:27 > 0:27:35parking?I am very sorry to hear the news and information about the crash
0:27:35 > 0:27:39last week. Of course I would be delighted as always to meet her and
0:27:39 > 0:27:44Kent County Council, this issue is a topic of great interest to me and
0:27:44 > 0:27:48the Department. I met with freight operators this week to discuss those
0:27:48 > 0:27:58issues.I will answer this question together with question 22. Real
0:27:58 > 0:28:02passenger journeys have more than doubled in the past 20 years and
0:28:02 > 0:28:10journey numbers are at their highest levels since the 1920s.Journeys on
0:28:10 > 0:28:14the Thames Link, Southern and great Northern franchise fell last year
0:28:14 > 0:28:19for the first time as commuters shunned its shoddy services. The
0:28:19 > 0:28:22management contract means the state has to shoulder in £19 million loss
0:28:22 > 0:28:28as a result and passenger numbers are starting to fall across the
0:28:28 > 0:28:35country. If the franchise model sustainable if this continues?
0:28:35 > 0:28:39Passengers are switching away from using traditional season tickets to
0:28:39 > 0:28:43using pay-as-you-go travel and choosing a more flexible ticket
0:28:43 > 0:28:46option to suit their lifestyle, changing travel behaviour may mean
0:28:46 > 0:28:49that historical assumptions on the number of journeys taken per season
0:28:49 > 0:28:56ticket are no longer appropriate. Although it has decreased recently,
0:28:56 > 0:29:02it doesn't mean fewer people are using the railway network.Violent
0:29:02 > 0:29:06attacks on trains have risen 12.5% in the last year and sexual offences
0:29:06 > 0:29:11on trains have doubled in the last five years. It reported in 2014 said
0:29:11 > 0:29:14the most important factor identified by passenger was personal security
0:29:14 > 0:29:22on the train. ScotRail has done similar, when will the Secretary of
0:29:22 > 0:29:28State take responsibility for passenger safety on trains?What I
0:29:28 > 0:29:33can say to the honourable member is the introduction of new trains
0:29:33 > 0:29:37across the entire network, many which will have CCTV will play a
0:29:37 > 0:29:39significant part in ensuring passengers can continue to travel
0:29:39 > 0:29:47safely.There is a direct links between competition on the line,
0:29:47 > 0:29:52usage and low were fierce. With electrification, which is very
0:29:52 > 0:29:55welcome and grateful to ministers for making that happen, will be look
0:29:55 > 0:30:02at options around extending Thames Link to Corby?Of course, I would be
0:30:02 > 0:30:07very happy to discuss that proposal with my honourable friend, and
0:30:07 > 0:30:11education can play a part improving passenger experience and reducing
0:30:11 > 0:30:14journey times and it's one of the things the Department continues to
0:30:14 > 0:30:20at closely.What other things to train people from using the
0:30:20 > 0:30:23railways? The wintry weather we have had over the last few days, it is
0:30:23 > 0:30:29the failure of Northern Rail to properly correct some of the
0:30:29 > 0:30:31stations on the route, particularly cross flats in my constituency
0:30:31 > 0:30:36making it a hazard for any passenger who wants to use that station. Is
0:30:36 > 0:30:39there anything the Minister can do to interview with Northern Rail to
0:30:39 > 0:30:42make sure the properly gripped the stations on the route so that people
0:30:42 > 0:30:48who use the railways can go about safely doing so?I thank my
0:30:48 > 0:30:52honourable friend his suggestions, we continue to work closely with
0:30:52 > 0:30:58Network Rail to ensure the impact of severe weather on the system is
0:30:58 > 0:31:01minimised and this includes the road, the rail and the aviation
0:31:01 > 0:31:06system whatever the weather.The honourable member first Shipley had
0:31:06 > 0:31:11a substantial supply of grit all his own.My constituents can barely get
0:31:11 > 0:31:15a seat on the train, but this month they have had to shoulder the
0:31:15 > 0:31:21biggest fare increases in the country. Can the Minister tell me
0:31:21 > 0:31:24how projects like this will benefit passengers in northern towns like
0:31:24 > 0:31:30mind?It is northern towns like hers that are going to be some of the
0:31:30 > 0:31:34principal beneficiaries of the replaced train fleet across the
0:31:34 > 0:31:38country, passengers and her constituency will have improved
0:31:38 > 0:31:45services, more reliable and safe services and more punctual.Question
0:31:45 > 0:31:49number nine, Mr Speaker.Thank you. The Government is very committed to
0:31:49 > 0:31:52the northern powerhouse and to giving the great towns and cities of
0:31:52 > 0:31:55the north of England more say over transport investment through
0:31:55 > 0:32:01transport for the north. We have spent over £13 billion to transform
0:32:01 > 0:32:05transport across the region, the biggest investment of its kind in
0:32:05 > 0:32:10the region for a generation.The commencement of regional flights
0:32:10 > 0:32:16from Carlisle hopefully later this year will be welcome to my
0:32:16 > 0:32:19constituents. But will his department look at ways to add
0:32:19 > 0:32:22additional services and to make it faster to reach central London from
0:32:22 > 0:32:30Southend?I share his pleasure at the potential expansion of air
0:32:30 > 0:32:36services there as elsewhere in the country. He should be aware that
0:32:36 > 0:32:40there is services provided the Southend and London, and the entire
0:32:40 > 0:32:45franchise fleet will be renewed with over 1000 state-of-the-art vehicles.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49That combined with a significant timetable changes should mean that
0:32:49 > 0:32:54Greater Anglia is able to offer quicker, super journeys with reduced
0:32:54 > 0:32:59journey times across the whole franchise by something like 10%.Is
0:32:59 > 0:33:03it not the case that if the Government had given the £2 billion
0:33:03 > 0:33:07bailout to the operators of the east coast line they would have had
0:33:07 > 0:33:11sufficient money to fund every single education scheme that has
0:33:11 > 0:33:15been cancelled, including the Midland mainline and have funds left
0:33:15 > 0:33:24over?There has been no bailout. I noticed that the members opposite
0:33:24 > 0:33:29are happy to put from the Times, the Secretary of State responded to this
0:33:29 > 0:33:33editorial piece with a letter of his own would set out the position of
0:33:33 > 0:33:43which there has been no bailout of any kind.Thank you. There is a
0:33:43 > 0:33:47north beyond the Northern powerhouse, it is called Scotland.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50In general, in order to deliver high-quality reliable real services,
0:33:50 > 0:33:55funding needs to be based in what they need of the sector is. Take
0:33:55 > 0:33:59account of future growth, the size of the network and essential
0:33:59 > 0:34:03maintenance, does the Minister agree with these principles?I would share
0:34:03 > 0:34:09his commitment to the impact that the north goes beyond northern
0:34:09 > 0:34:13powerhouse itself and I entirely a chorus agree with him about bad,
0:34:13 > 0:34:17that is why the Government is involved with the borderlands growth
0:34:17 > 0:34:21deal, precisely the point of which is to work with local authorities on
0:34:21 > 0:34:27both sides of the border and the high-level proposition of the UK to
0:34:27 > 0:34:29the Scottish Government have been committed last year. We will
0:34:29 > 0:34:34continue to work on that and continue to invest in roads
0:34:34 > 0:34:39alongside that process to the extent that we can.In terms of the
0:34:39 > 0:34:43principles I was trying to lay out, Scotland has got 70% of the UK
0:34:43 > 0:34:47network in terms of rail, but is only allocated 10.4% of the UK
0:34:47 > 0:34:53spent. The Government regulator, they have stated 1.9 billion is
0:34:53 > 0:34:59needed for a essential repairs and 2.3 billion to meet future demand.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Why was the funding formula cut and the experts ignored leaving Scotland
0:35:03 > 0:35:11a £600 million shortfall?There has been a fiscal settlement which has
0:35:11 > 0:35:14changed over time, very much with the consultation and support of the
0:35:14 > 0:35:21Scottish Government. Any changes to UK funding in England will be
0:35:21 > 0:35:27followed by the impact in Scotland. Investment doesn't seem to be
0:35:27 > 0:35:32working that well. The Carillion staff working on the Manchester,
0:35:32 > 0:35:34Bolton, Preston let occasion project had their contract suspended this
0:35:34 > 0:35:39week. Can the Minister clarify, if all these workers should only expect
0:35:39 > 0:35:45the job centre, the Prime Minister said yesterday, I can he guarantee
0:35:45 > 0:35:48these works and all similar infrastructure undertakings will
0:35:48 > 0:35:52continue to completion with the current workforce, apprentices,
0:35:52 > 0:35:58supply chain and project plan?This Government has made clear anyone
0:35:58 > 0:36:02turning up to work on those schemes through subcontractors will continue
0:36:02 > 0:36:06to be paid in the normal way, it is important to get that message out
0:36:06 > 0:36:10there and not to spread misinformation and misunderstanding.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14Thank you. The problem with the Minister's reply is that the
0:36:14 > 0:36:18vultures are already circling over the Carillion contract carcasses,
0:36:18 > 0:36:23which will place these projects into future risk, not least as companies
0:36:23 > 0:36:28like interservice mighty have had profit warnings served the last six
0:36:28 > 0:36:32months. What due diligence has he instructed officials to undertake of
0:36:32 > 0:36:36all contractors and will he end his speculation by taking these
0:36:36 > 0:36:43contracts back in-house?She would know that there is almost no
0:36:43 > 0:36:47exposure to the rail sector to the companies she mentions. The fact of
0:36:47 > 0:36:55the matter is that these contracts have been in many cases reinforced,
0:36:55 > 0:37:04certainly on the road side, on the road side, you have joint-venture
0:37:04 > 0:37:07partners who had jointly obliged to pick up these obligations and will
0:37:07 > 0:37:24do so. Thank you. In September, we published our response. I will take
0:37:24 > 0:37:28this question a. We published a response to the consultation about
0:37:28 > 0:37:33the renewable transport fuel obligation is order, to maybe 2020
0:37:33 > 0:37:38target and reduce carbon emissions. A draft statutory implementing these
0:37:38 > 0:37:43proposals was laid before Parliament on the 15th of January and subject
0:37:43 > 0:37:44to parliamentary approval, this legislation will increase targets
0:37:44 > 0:37:53for the supply of renewable fuels from April 20 18.Progress on the IT
0:37:53 > 0:37:59SO is positive. If the Government ready to introduce e-10 petrol,
0:37:59 > 0:38:02already available in France, Germany and Finland? It will have the effect
0:38:02 > 0:38:08of helping the UK's industry, an important employer in the Teesside.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11I am aware of the fact it is an important employer and is a matter
0:38:11 > 0:38:20of concern to ministers it in the back continues... I met with his
0:38:20 > 0:38:22constituency in November and we have had close concert physicians with
0:38:22 > 0:38:30them. -- close conversations with them. The ITF and encourages those
0:38:30 > 0:38:36suppliers to use the most effective solution, our analysis suggests that
0:38:36 > 0:38:39we may not be required to meet the target but it is an attractive
0:38:39 > 0:38:45option for suppliers.I barely's hybrid buses are a plus for the
0:38:45 > 0:38:50Oxbridge Road, but they are cancelled out by diesel vehicles,
0:38:50 > 0:38:54not only polluting the lines of my constituents but all over the
0:38:54 > 0:39:02country. Surely the Government should be doing more to encourage
0:39:02 > 0:39:08best procurement practice and read our roads of dirty diesel.The
0:39:08 > 0:39:15Government is investing hugely in support for electric vehicles and an
0:39:15 > 0:39:19improvement to the equality across cities and other regions of the
0:39:19 > 0:39:29country. It is very much mitigating the views of diesel cars.Seal
0:39:29 > 0:39:33providers have stated they require Government mandate to introduce fuel
0:39:33 > 0:39:40to avoid a breach of competition law. Will he be considered the
0:39:40 > 0:39:44possibility of mandating E10 fuel, and if not we'll his lawyers work
0:39:44 > 0:39:50with fuel providers to overcome this?I thank the gentleman for his
0:39:50 > 0:39:58comment. We continue to discuss those with suppliers. I would say is
0:39:58 > 0:40:04in other countries across the EU, there has been no such mandate, and
0:40:04 > 0:40:12there are nevertheless has been significant take-up.Mr Speaker, my
0:40:12 > 0:40:17honourable friend knows full well I understand the difficulties his
0:40:17 > 0:40:20constituents have faced. I hope you will accept the performance have
0:40:20 > 0:40:24improved since the height of industrial action. We have had
0:40:24 > 0:40:32arrangement in place including special arrangements. We have taken
0:40:32 > 0:40:43steps forward with the fermentation...On the second
0:40:43 > 0:40:48December, seven passengers have suffered from existing disruption to
0:40:48 > 0:40:52the journeys during 26 to and offered a very welcome conversation
0:40:52 > 0:40:59to ticket season holders. Some passengers have suffered from
0:40:59 > 0:41:05disruption during 2017 as well. The figures on punctuality are even
0:41:05 > 0:41:08worse. When are we going to seek compensation for my constituents
0:41:08 > 0:41:15this year?There are compensation measures in place now. The issue is
0:41:15 > 0:41:20now facing this network are all to do with the infrastructure. We have
0:41:20 > 0:41:28just announced two major closures to allowed upgrade works to take place.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33I hope it will make a significant difference going forward.Bedford
0:41:33 > 0:41:38commuters will lose their fight peak services in May. Many don't know how
0:41:38 > 0:41:42people balance work with childcare but does the Minister agree with me
0:41:42 > 0:41:50that Stagecoach should compensate these people? They have borne the
0:41:50 > 0:41:57pain of the delays to the network.I can't promise, I wish I could, I
0:41:57 > 0:42:01can't promise of change disruption as a result of major investment
0:42:01 > 0:42:09programmes. There will be an interim period rivers changes to services.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13There will be more seats from Bedford in the peak hours and many
0:42:13 > 0:42:17of the East Midlands Trains arriving are already full. I regret the fact
0:42:17 > 0:42:21we have to inconvenience passengers, but we can't upgrade and improve the
0:42:21 > 0:42:27network without taking difficult decisions.
0:42:27 > 0:42:32I will answer this question together with 15 and 16. The estimated number
0:42:32 > 0:42:40of passengers in the last three years is as follows. 2014-15, four
0:42:40 > 0:42:54.6 3 billion. 2015, four .1 5 billion. 2016, four .4 4 billion.My
0:42:54 > 0:43:05constituents regularly contact me about bus use each. Is this linked
0:43:05 > 0:43:12to the cut in the bus budget?When I speak to operators, I see great
0:43:12 > 0:43:17investments taking place in technology, ticketing, and a
0:43:17 > 0:43:22tremendous potential for it in the context of the inner quality changes
0:43:22 > 0:43:29to be made by the government.Over 85% of Brits are provided by first
0:43:29 > 0:43:33bus, which makes a healthy profit every year. Under current rules they
0:43:33 > 0:43:37cannot use profits to subsidise put -- commercially unviable writs which
0:43:37 > 0:43:42may be important to local people. Why can't bus company contracts
0:43:42 > 0:43:46stipulate they have to run the services using profits from income
0:43:46 > 0:43:50generating ricks, instead of letting them pocket profits while the local
0:43:50 > 0:43:55council has to foot the bill?It is not historically the job of
0:43:55 > 0:44:00government to intervene in the precise allocation of company
0:44:00 > 0:44:14profits. The increase in journeys in Bristol, from 32.7 million, to 39
0:44:14 > 0:44:18.9. If she has proposals I would be happy to look at them.Could I take
0:44:18 > 0:44:29this opportunity take voice my attitudes Worker -- gratitude in the
0:44:29 > 0:44:41fired in my constituency, in the station. Many people struggle with
0:44:41 > 0:44:46inaccessible bus services, and seven years of cuts have exacerbated these
0:44:46 > 0:44:53problems. Research from age UK has found 1.5 million people over 65
0:44:53 > 0:44:57found it difficult to travel to hospital appointments and stressful,
0:44:57 > 0:45:01complicated or expense of public transport journeys lead to Mr
0:45:01 > 0:45:04cancelled appointments. Has the Minister discussed this pressing
0:45:04 > 0:45:07problem with colleagues in the Department for Health, and what does
0:45:07 > 0:45:13he plan to do to address it?I thank her for her comments and I associate
0:45:13 > 0:45:17myself with her support for the emergency services in relation to
0:45:17 > 0:45:23the incident in Nottingham. In many ways the concessionary fares scheme
0:45:23 > 0:45:28has been a colossal success, as she will be aware. Something like 12
0:45:28 > 0:45:34million people have concessionary permits in this country, and they
0:45:34 > 0:45:38make enormous journeys -- numbers of journeys every year, supported by
0:45:38 > 0:45:49government.Government cuts have led to the axing or downgrading of 400
0:45:49 > 0:45:54bus trips in passenger numbers, which are now at a 10-year low. Will
0:45:54 > 0:45:59he reinstate the cuts, or if he is unwilling to do so, will he give the
0:45:59 > 0:46:07councils the power they need?I welcome and thank him for the
0:46:07 > 0:46:17question. These services are deregulated, in many cases the
0:46:17 > 0:46:20operated by local authorities which received substantial funding from
0:46:20 > 0:46:23central government, and we expect them to deploy the money how they
0:46:23 > 0:46:33see fit.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37The Civil Aviation Authority keep such matters under review, and today
0:46:37 > 0:46:41announced they will be issuing class one medical certificates with a
0:46:41 > 0:46:45restriction to applicants wanting to become commercial pilots wear this
0:46:45 > 0:46:56is required for safety purposes.My constituent was denied his pilot
0:46:56 > 0:46:59licence because he is HIV positive. I'm not sure what the answer means,
0:46:59 > 0:47:04but I hope it means he will meet with the CEA to stop them passing
0:47:04 > 0:47:09the buck and let this pilot flying. To reassure the gentleman, it means
0:47:09 > 0:47:13the rules are being changed today, and while I cannot give a certain
0:47:13 > 0:47:18outcome to an individual case, this will mean people who suffer from
0:47:18 > 0:47:20conditions that have made it difficult for them to become
0:47:20 > 0:47:24commercial pilots will find it easier to do so as the Civil
0:47:24 > 0:47:27Aviation Authority take a more sensible approach.Topical
0:47:27 > 0:47:35questions. Priti Patel.If I can make three points, firstly can I
0:47:35 > 0:47:38echo the comments of the Member for Nottingham South about the emergency
0:47:38 > 0:47:42services and the response last week. Could I pay tribute to all of those
0:47:42 > 0:47:46who did work across the rail network over Christmas, giving up their
0:47:46 > 0:47:49holiday period for the investment programme, and can I also say I am
0:47:49 > 0:47:56proud to be a party of opportunity, providing the country with its first
0:47:56 > 0:48:01woman Prime Minister, and today we provide the first Muslim Women's
0:48:01 > 0:48:05Network Nestor to speak from a government dispatch box, the Member
0:48:05 > 0:48:16for wielding. I'm very proud to sit alongside her today.Essex adds...
0:48:16 > 0:48:20Businesses that want to grow cannot because of poor transport
0:48:20 > 0:48:25infrastructure. Will he help those businesses by committing to back the
0:48:25 > 0:48:43key projects such as the A 12?We are investing across the country.
0:48:43 > 0:48:48Highways England is progressing these letter a 12 improvements,
0:48:48 > 0:48:51going across the design stages, and on the railways there are a number
0:48:51 > 0:48:57of improvements required to the eastern mainline. This is one of
0:48:57 > 0:49:03those under consideration.Does he agree that -- in transport for the
0:49:03 > 0:49:17North in their draft transport plan that there is an economic case for
0:49:17 > 0:49:24Bradford being involved?We're studying them very closely, the
0:49:24 > 0:49:28report that has been put in, and we will look at the scheme alongside
0:49:28 > 0:49:33others.Is the Secretary of State aware that in West Norfolk we have
0:49:33 > 0:49:37an active red dog through it who took me on a blindfold walk, which
0:49:37 > 0:49:40was a very moving experience, and brought home to me the number of
0:49:40 > 0:49:44obstacles facing blind people, for example unauthorised cars on
0:49:44 > 0:49:53pavements. What is the situation with accessibility action plan?They
0:49:53 > 0:49:58thank the Member for bringing the guide dogs group to the House, the
0:49:58 > 0:50:03government is committed to ensuring disabled people have the same access
0:50:03 > 0:50:06and opportunities to travel as everyone else. The Department for
0:50:06 > 0:50:11Transport is analysing the responses received in the action plan, and I
0:50:11 > 0:50:21will publish the response in the spring. The final plan will also set
0:50:21 > 0:50:27out the ten skills for delivery.The virgin East Coast franchise promises
0:50:27 > 0:50:31to run trains every two hours from London to Bradford, Harrogate and
0:50:31 > 0:50:35Middlesbrough, do they still hold good or have they been scaled back?
0:50:35 > 0:50:45There has been no change to any part of the terms of the franchise, it is
0:50:45 > 0:50:52business as usual. I have set out the challenges, but nothing has
0:50:52 > 0:51:02changed at all.Would the new rail minister be kind enough to agree to
0:51:02 > 0:51:08meet the catering rail users group to discuss how real services may be
0:51:08 > 0:51:14used in Kettering?I would be delighted to meet representatives
0:51:14 > 0:51:21and my honourable friend. We have the Greenock Ocean terminal from
0:51:21 > 0:51:25which goods are imported and exported across the world. What
0:51:25 > 0:51:30assurances can he give me that Brexit will not adversely affect the
0:51:30 > 0:51:39transportation of goods by -- oversee?I understand the importance
0:51:39 > 0:51:45of the future of the maritime sector and I have had the pleasure of
0:51:45 > 0:51:49visiting Montrose to see the important work it does for Scotland.
0:51:49 > 0:51:55The maritime sector, while it is not often the highest profile, it is
0:51:55 > 0:52:04enormously important to the country. An army of rail engineers worked
0:52:04 > 0:52:11over Christmas, will he join me in congratulating and thanking them for
0:52:11 > 0:52:21this?I think we often fail to appreciate the heaven army of
0:52:21 > 0:52:26people, and those who did the work over the Christmas period deserve
0:52:26 > 0:52:33our thanks. If you look at the work, whether it is the improvement of the
0:52:33 > 0:52:36north-west or the work at London Bridge, we are seeing huge
0:52:36 > 0:52:40investment programmes making a difference to the passenger
0:52:40 > 0:52:49experience.Yesterday 5000 lorries were forced from Felixstowe to take
0:52:49 > 0:52:52two hours each getting through Ipswich. Will the Secretary of State
0:52:52 > 0:52:58urgently meet with myself and local MPs to expedite a northern bypass
0:52:58 > 0:53:06for Ipswich?I will meet him and colleagues on this. The Department
0:53:06 > 0:53:13for Transport award £76 million in 2016 for the crossings, and that
0:53:13 > 0:53:19scheme was one of the large ones to be funded. We will happily revisit
0:53:19 > 0:53:24any discussion he wishes to have. Will he recognise many hospitals do
0:53:24 > 0:53:29not have good public transport links around the country? And for that
0:53:29 > 0:53:33reason will he write to the Health Secretary urging him to scrap car
0:53:33 > 0:53:42parking charges?Is he will know, my first debate I have called in the
0:53:42 > 0:53:49House of Commons was on car parking charges at Hereford Hospital.Could
0:53:49 > 0:53:56he faced the House so everyone can hear?Apologies, I absolutely
0:53:56 > 0:54:01understand his concern. It has been the legacy of the Labour
0:54:01 > 0:54:08Government's PFI projects in the period up until 2010, so I share his
0:54:08 > 0:54:15concern.The head of US aviation stated the US government had a month
0:54:15 > 0:54:19to outline an aviation safety strategy or be faced with costly
0:54:19 > 0:54:26disruption to Trans what progress has he made on US aviation strategy
0:54:26 > 0:54:35post Brexit?I have had meetings with US airlines, US aviation
0:54:35 > 0:54:39authority, and I have discussed issues with my counterpart in the US
0:54:39 > 0:54:45Department for Transport Asian. We are making good progress with
0:54:45 > 0:54:50arrangements for radiation.On what evidence is the government now
0:54:50 > 0:55:00pushing ahead with a
0:55:01 > 0:55:06flawed... -- the counterpart in the US Department for Transport.I know
0:55:06 > 0:55:10how strongly she feels about this. We have had many conversations and I
0:55:10 > 0:55:16know we will carry on doing so. We do not share the same view, I
0:55:16 > 0:55:19believe the project is strategically important for the United Kingdom,
0:55:19 > 0:55:26but I am happy to continue discussing it.I was disappointed
0:55:26 > 0:55:31recently with the publication from the Department for Transport for A
0:55:31 > 0:55:37roads did not even mention a connection to Eastbourne. Can he
0:55:37 > 0:55:44confirm that was an oversight and that the road will be turned into a
0:55:44 > 0:55:47dual carriageway?You will know his predecessors secured an equipment to
0:55:47 > 0:55:55use funding allocated for improvements to the letter a 27, and
0:55:55 > 0:56:00I look forward to seeing this.With the initial consultation open on
0:56:00 > 0:56:04shaping the future for England's strategic roads, can he confirm the
0:56:04 > 0:56:08Secretary of State will look closely at the vital upgrade of Junction 15
0:56:08 > 0:56:17of the M6, Stoke-on-Trent.If that scheme is given the enthusiastic
0:56:17 > 0:56:20support of the local transport authorities involved, we will look
0:56:20 > 0:56:30closely at it, as we would with all such situations.And the Secretary
0:56:30 > 0:56:35of State said what discussions he has had with the European Commission
0:56:35 > 0:56:42about participating in the open skies agreement after Brexit?We had
0:56:42 > 0:56:47two jobs to do for aviation post Brexit, one is to conclude
0:56:47 > 0:56:52negotiations within the European Union, and the other is negotiating
0:56:52 > 0:56:55successful it arrangements and successful agreements around the
0:56:55 > 0:57:01world.These are being worked on. On the east Coast Main line, rather
0:57:01 > 0:57:05than taking us to the bad old days of British Rail, as the party
0:57:05 > 0:57:14opposite would do, would he consider instead a market authority
0:57:14 > 0:57:17recommendations, offering a far better in quality and cost of rail
0:57:17 > 0:57:31services?Those who live in Sunderland, Bradford, they wouldn't
0:57:31 > 0:57:42say anything except it has been a good thing.The Severn Bridge is
0:57:42 > 0:57:48coming into public ownership on the 8th of January, would he meet with
0:57:48 > 0:57:51me to discuss future operations of the bridges, including abolishing
0:57:51 > 0:58:02the tolls after the campaign?I am sure the member will welcome the
0:58:02 > 0:58:10news, it is this government that will abolish these tolls. It will
0:58:10 > 0:58:14open the area to more economic opportunity, and I am happy to meet
0:58:14 > 0:58:19the member to discuss anything further.At a recent meeting with
0:58:19 > 0:58:24senior HS2 personnel, the promised to provide advance notice of
0:58:24 > 0:58:30construction work. They have not done this. Will the Secretary of
0:58:30 > 0:58:35State ensure they keep their promises?I absolutely will. I
0:58:35 > 0:58:39expect HS2 to be good corporate citizens as they embark on this. I
0:58:39 > 0:58:45would invite all members to come to me and my honourable friend for
0:58:45 > 0:58:52wielding, we want to make sure where this is human -- with this humanly
0:58:52 > 0:59:06possible to do so... The bus services act has created those
0:59:06 > 0:59:11powers and we're in conversations with the mayor in Manchester and
0:59:11 > 0:59:15elsewhere in the country, and remain very interested in having further
0:59:15 > 0:59:19conversations with players who wish to avail themselves of the powers.
0:59:19 > 0:59:30When can we expect a
0:59:35 > 0:59:39decision so far his department is unable to say when we get a
0:59:39 > 0:59:51decision.I will seek to speed things up.
0:59:52 > 1:00:00I will seek to make sure the process is concluded as quickly as possible.
1:00:00 > 1:00:04Will the government work with businesses that supply to see what
1:00:04 > 1:00:07the impact of the renewable transport fuel obligation is on them
1:00:07 > 1:00:15and to continue to look to
1:00:18 > 1:00:25May I welcome the new minister to her place and take this opportunity
1:00:25 > 1:00:30to make a plea for my constituents who are affected by this review, and
1:00:30 > 1:00:36also the way in which HS2 Ltd is administering this process?The
1:00:36 > 1:00:40member has raised this with me previously and I am pleased she has
1:00:40 > 1:00:44raised this with me again today and I am pleased to meet the her and
1:00:44 > 1:00:53take on board any concern she has. About taking musical instruments
1:00:53 > 1:00:59onto aeroplanes, and in his discussions about aviation, will he
1:00:59 > 1:01:03meet with the Culture Secretary and see how we can solve this real
1:01:03 > 1:01:09problem for musicians?The hand luggage policy of an airline is
1:01:09 > 1:01:13theirs, but I am happy for us to have a discussion with him about the
1:01:13 > 1:01:17issue. There may not be a simple solution but I am more than happy to
1:01:17 > 1:01:21talk on a board members about the challenges they face.I congratulate
1:01:21 > 1:01:26my honourable friend on her appointment following her review of
1:01:26 > 1:01:29the accessibility to stations. Would you look carefully at the hundreds
1:01:29 > 1:01:33of applications there have been forced and more and can spark
1:01:33 > 1:01:37stations which have not been provided by Transport for London but
1:01:37 > 1:01:45hopefully will be provided by the government?I thank him for
1:01:45 > 1:01:49welcoming me to the dispatch box today and of course I will meet with
1:01:49 > 1:01:52him to discuss this further and I look forward to arrange in that
1:01:52 > 1:01:58meeting.The Minister may be aware of an ongoing issue might
1:01:58 > 1:02:01constituency in relation to the level crossing that will be improved
1:02:01 > 1:02:09because of the cancellation of electrification. I asked for the
1:02:09 > 1:02:14previous Minister, so will she now meet with me to start the process of
1:02:14 > 1:02:22closing this level crossing?The decisions on electrification do not
1:02:22 > 1:02:28and will not in any way impede safety improvements and we have
1:02:28 > 1:02:32large amounts of money in the next five years put to that. I will see
1:02:32 > 1:02:41what we can do to me that rapidly.A short question is required.Sir
1:02:41 > 1:02:49Desmond Swain. Is there an end to end three night closures?They are a
1:02:49 > 1:02:53night closures because of the production being offered to daytime
1:02:53 > 1:02:57running. The upgrade of the junctions has already taken place,
1:02:57 > 1:03:01to have an poor are already complete, junction 62 to complete
1:03:01 > 1:03:09soon, junctions nine - 14 are planned.The previous real Minister
1:03:09 > 1:03:13agreed to meet with the two discuss reopening the railway line to plead
1:03:13 > 1:03:19with. Will the new minister on about and get to put back on track?I am
1:03:19 > 1:03:29very happy to honour that commitment.Mr Speaker, 2018 is the
1:03:29 > 1:03:38year of engineering. Can I ask the new minister as to what the
1:03:38 > 1:03:41government is doing to increase diversity within the engineering
1:03:41 > 1:03:50profession?I feel obliged to be responding to a fellow Brummie. I
1:03:50 > 1:03:52want to congratulate the engineering envoy who I believe is sitting
1:03:52 > 1:03:58upstairs today. The government has indeed launched a year of
1:03:58 > 1:04:02engineering. I did that myself on Monday at Crossrail. We are
1:04:02 > 1:04:07particularly keen to open up engineering as a career for young
1:04:07 > 1:04:11girls and boys, especially those from black, Asian and ethnic
1:04:11 > 1:04:15minorities. I urge members of the size to become ambassadors if they
1:04:15 > 1:04:21haven't already.The environmental impact assessment of the
1:04:21 > 1:04:27government's decision not to electrify the Midland mainline north
1:04:27 > 1:04:31of capturing received 25% of savings in carbon emissions would have been
1:04:31 > 1:04:38achieved by doing that. Will they think again about the decision?I
1:04:38 > 1:04:41expect the transformation of technology over the coming years
1:04:41 > 1:04:44with the introduction of different types of battery