Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions his Department has had with members of the Clean Maritime Council on the Clydebank Declaration for Green Shipping Corridors.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Since late 2019, my Department engaged continuously with a variety of States, industry bodies, research organisations and across Whitehall in the development of its ambitious COP26 maritime programme, including the Clydebank Declaration. This included a discussion at the most recent Clean Maritime Council on 16 September 2021.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Government’s support for the (a) Clydebank Declaration for Green Shipping Corridors and (b) Declaration on Zero Emission Shipping by 2050 on the (i) environment and (ii) People and Skills route maps in the Maritime 2050 strategy.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The Clydebank Declaration represents the beginning of a multi-year process to develop green shipping corridors. As such, launching the Declaration is the first step on that voyage in establishing at least six corridors by middle of this decade, across all signatory States.
We are now moving, with other States and the industry, to delivering on these declarations. The Global Maritime Forum have performed an assessment of the role that shipping corridors can play in decarbonising international shipping, this can be found at: www.globalmaritimeforum.org/content/2021/11/The-Next-Wave-Green-Corridors.pdf
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the offshore helicopter market, following CHC’s takeover of Babcock International’s offshore oil and gas crew transportation services on the UK Continental Shelf.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
It has not been necessary for the Secretary of State for Transport to have any such discussions.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), as the UK’s independent competition regulator, is reviewing this transaction. After conducting an initial review, on the 18 November the CMA announced its intention to progress to a more in-depth Phase 2 review unless the parties can offer acceptable undertakings to address the CMA’s concerns.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment the Civil Aviation Authority has made of the impact of CHC’s takeover of Babcock International’s offshore oil and gas crew transportation services on (a) passenger safety and (b) commercial pressure on offshore helicopter transport services.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Offshore helicopter services provide a vital link to ensure the viability of the United Kingdom’s oil and gas industry and high standards of air safety are of fundamental importance.
As the United Kingdom’s aviation safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) concern is whether the commercial environment has any impact on safety. The CAA monitors all aspects of the operations of offshore helicopter companies and any risks to safe operation through its safety oversight programme.
As with any significant organisational change, the CAA will oversee how the change is managed and how any potential safety risks are assessed so that safety is maintained.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), as the UK’s independent competition regulator, is reviewing this transaction. After conducting an initial review, on the 18 November the CMA announced its intention to progress to a more in-depth Phase 2 review unless the parties can offer acceptable undertakings to address the CMA’s concerns.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence; and whether he plans to amend the requirement for that certificate to help tackle driver shortages.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
In 2016, the Government published a post-implementation review of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) 2007 regulations. The review considered the extent to which the regulations improved road safety and increased the professionalism of driving as an occupation. Road safety has improved but it is not possible to isolate the effect of the regulations from other measures.
HGV drivers continue to be required to hold a DCPC. Many employers are offering training packages to allow drivers whose DCPC has lapsed to renew it and return to driving.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish any representations he has received from Dubai Airport in relation to the UAE's classification on the red list.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Ministers and officials have engaged extensively with the aviation and travel industries throughout the pandemic, including with representatives from Dubai Airport and the UAE. We remain committed to an open engagement with the sector and continue to work with industry partners to share information with the aim of ensuring a safe return of international travel.
The government keeps the data for countries and territories under regular review and changes to the Red, Amber and Green lists will be implemented every three weeks, unless concerning evidence means we need to act faster to protect public health.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of the Tees Freeport on existing (a) road, (b) rail and (b) ports infrastructure.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
I would like to congratulate the Tees Freeport on its successful bid. My Department recognises that appropriate links will be vital to ensure the success of the UK’s newly established Freeports. My Department will consider the implications of the Freeport business cases for our transport networks and future infrastructure investment decisions.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many merchant ship calls there were at the sea ports comprising the Tees Freeport in (a) 2000, (b) 2010 and (c) 2020.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Tees and Hartlepool maritime ports had 4,671 and 3,533 merchant ships calls in 2010 and 2019 respectively. My Department does not hold figures dating to 2000, and the 2019 dataset is most current.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received on the delay to planned accessibility works at Billingham Station under the Access for All scheme; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such a delay on local residents who have disabilities.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
We have received no representations about Billingham since it was included in the Access for All programme. Although the deadline for completing Access for All projects is 2024, Billingham is due to finish in 2022. Development and design work are well advanced and construction is due to start early next year.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the operation of the driving test system; and if he will extend the expiry date of theory tests.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
In line with national lockdown restrictions, all routine practical driving tests have been suspended until the restrictions are lifted. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has rescheduled affected tests by moving them to the next available test dates and has notified candidates accordingly.
Once it is safe for driving tests to resume, the DVSA will ensure measures are in place to increase testing availability wherever possible; this will include offering overtime and annual leave buy back to examiners, asking all those qualified to carry out tests (warrant card holders) to do so, and conducting out of hours testing (such as on public holidays).
The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a candidate’s road safety knowledge is current. This validity period is set in legislation and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.