Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of existing legal obligations for train operators to ensure that customers are able to socially distance on their services during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
We have issued comprehensive guidance on the steps transport operators should take to assess and address the risks of coronavirus in the transport sector across England. While we strongly advise passengers to practice social distancing to help limit the spread of COVID-19, we acknowledge that this might not always be possible. We have been working closely with operators to ensure appropriate procedures are in place and that they are clearly communicated to passengers. Some stations have natural ‘pinch-points’, which makes maintaining social distancing difficult. Passengers are urged to use the whole length of the train to board, avoid travelling at busy times and follow government guidance.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits for (a) reducing the risk of covid-19 transmission and (b) consumer welfare of mandating that airlines seat groups of people who are travelling together are seated closely together during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Government has published guidance specifically for both aviation operators and for air passengers on safer travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. This operator guidance maps out the measures airlines can take to protect passengers and staff on board aircraft, and includes advice on hygiene measures, face coverings, and social distancing in the aircraft setting. On the specific issue of seating passengers travelling in a group together, the guidance states ‘where possible and where mass and balance allow, enable social distancing among passengers of different households or support bubbles, where relevant.’
The Government expects all airlines to manage the risks of coronavirus as far as possible in order to provide safer workplaces and services for workers and passengers. For further information, the operator guidance is available to view at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-aviation-guidance-for-operators
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of ceasing food services on trains while ensuring that all food service staff are retained on full pay during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Our priority is to ensure the safety of both employees and passengers, as well as the ongoing provision of passenger and freight services. Operators and their suppliers, including those to whom catering is subcontracted, are working to resource trains appropriately, protect staff wellbeing and provide essential services for those who must travel, such as key workers who may have accessibility requirements. On-board catering services should cease, unless it is possible to serve pre-packed food that requires minimal contact. Catering staff can and have been deployed to do other tasks on our railways.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a comparative assessment of the terms of support offered to similar SME leaseholders by (a) Network Rail, (b) Transport for London and (c) the Arch Company to protect those SMEs during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Network Rail has offered SME commercial estate tenants a three-month zero-rent period between April and June 2020.
In deciding on this course of action, Network Rail worked to understand the offers of support proposed by those in similar situations, including the Arch Company and Transport for London.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the necessity of commencing planned works in preparation for High Speed 2 around Steeple Claydon in Buckinghamshire, including the clearance of 500 acres of land, in advance of Notice to Proceed.
Answered by Paul Maynard
Notice to Proceed is the formal contractual process whereby HS2 Ltd will authorise its main works civils contractors to move from the design, development and enabling works stage, into full construction. Government authorisation is required before Notice-to-Proceed takes place.
The enabling works that are taking place now, including those at Steeple Claydon, are necessary to enable the construction of HS2 to proceed in accordance with the programme, following Notice to Proceed.
The Prime Minister has also made clear that the independent review of HS2, which is currently underway, should not unnecessarily delay progress with the project should the Government decide to continue with it.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for conducting and publishing research on why taxi and PHV drivers continue to refuse to transport assistance dogs.
Answered by Grant Shapps
It is unlawful for Taxi and PHV drivers to refuse to carry passengers accompanied by assistance dogs and it is unacceptable that a minority continue to discriminate in this way. The Government’s response to the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and PHV licensing committed to introduce legislation when time allows to require drivers to complete disability awareness training as part of national minimum standards. The eventual requirement and supporting guidance will be informed by public consultation and appropriate research.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for carrying out and publishing a consultation on revised best practice guidance to support local licensing authorities to use their powers more effectively when dealing with Taxi and PHV drivers refusing to transport assistance dogs.
Answered by Grant Shapps
It is unlawful for Taxi and PHV drivers to refuse to carry passengers accompanied by assistance dogs and it is unacceptable that a minority continue to discriminate in this way. The Government’s response to the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and PHV licensing committed to introduce legislation when time allows to require drivers to complete disability awareness training as part of national minimum standards. The eventual requirement and supporting guidance will be informed by public consultation and appropriate research.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the age of service vehicles in (a) London and (b) England and Wales.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) holds technical records for public service vehicles (PSV) which includes the date of manufacture and the date of first registration. However, PSV operators are not required to specify to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) where vehicles on their operator licence are geographically based. Neither the DVSA nor the OTC can therefore differentiate between vehicles based in London and England and Wales.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the age of service vehicles in (a) London and (b) England and Wales.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) holds technical records for public service vehicles (PSV) which includes the date of manufacture and the date of first registration. However, PSV operators are not required to specify to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) where vehicles on their operator licence are geographically based. Neither the DVSA nor the OTC can therefore differentiate between vehicles based in London and England and Wales.