Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the marine contingency planning range of actions for which the UK has preparations in place for responding to a maritime accident involving radioactivity entrained into an atmospheric plume generated by a shipboard fire to (a) mitigate and (b) reduce (i) the environmental impact and (ii) down-stream exposure and public health impact of those radioactive materials to (A) ship crew, (B) oil rig staff, (C) other maritime staff and (D) coastal communities; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) response planning designed to manage incidents involving dangerous cargo, including nuclear materials, is contained in the ‘The National Contingency Plan - A Strategic Overview for Responses to Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations (the NCP)’ and other operational response procedures. The NCP is published on GOV.UK.
Response to vessel incident and pollution incidents within the maritime environment is for the most part initiated by Her Majesty’s Coastguard (HMCG), with involvement from MCA Counter Pollution and Salvage (MCA CPS) and the Secretary of State’s Representative (SOSREP). The timing, nature and extent of any subsequent response will depend on the nature, scope and scale of the incident and the risks to the public and the environment. This is equally applicable to incidents involving nuclear materials, where broad alerting and response protocols exist across the appropriate UK agencies and organisations.
In the case of incidents involving vessels, technical support will be sought from ship’s owners, classification society, naval architects, insurers and salvors. For incidents involving nuclear materials further specialist support would be required. This will comprise of a range of response services using the resources of: International Nuclear Services, the Office of Nuclear Regulation, the Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department (EHED), the Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards (CRCE) (including the Radiation Team element of CRCE), the Met Office and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. Other industry specialists are likely to be engaged by the salvors for vessel firefighting, cargo/source containment, mitigation, stabilisation, and recovery.
Public Health England (PHE) have delegated responsibility to lead on UK-wide public health impacts and response resulting from the release of nuclear materials. PHE will be informed by potential and/or actual release information as well as forecast drift and exposure modelling developed by the Met Office, this last supported by EHED and CRCE. Again, location of the incident, its nature, actual and potential extent, risk to the public and environment will be considered and will inform the actual response activated. In response, PHE will engage with Local Government Resilience Fora and their counterparts within the Devolved Administrations to co-ordinate a coherent national response.
Her Majesty’s Coastguard will maintain communication with all shipping approaching or in the vicinity of any incident, informing them of any danger and advise on exclusion areas and potential re-routing. They will similarly inform any offshore installation (oil & gas or offshore renewable operation), should they be in the modelled drift or potential fall-out impact area. They will also inform the UK Hydrographic Office, who will issue a temporary and/or longer term Notice to Mariners.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on providing a safe haven to the disabled Russian nuclear powered freighter SEVMORPUT in the event that the UK is asked to do so; what the decision-making process is on a request to offer safe haven to a disabled nuclear-powered freighter; whether an affected coastal local authority is included in that decision-making process; what notice that authority is given of a decision to offer safe haven; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The UK maintains a set of guidelines for dealing with a request for a place of refuge from a vessel in distress. These guidelines, currently under review, complement European Union guidelines that cover cooperation between neighbouring Coastal States for maritime place of refuge incidents. The UK and EU guidelines are both consistent with International Maritime Organization resolution A.949 (23); Guidelines on Places of Refuge for Ships in Need of Assistance.
The UK has designated the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) as the Competent Authority concerning the accommodation of ships in need of assistance. Where a formal request is received by the UK from a vessel requiring provision of a place of refuge, in the first instance, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will conduct an assessment of potential locations. Areas considered may be ports, harbours or anchorages in sheltered areas. The UK does not maintain a prescribed list of places of refuge; anywhere may be considered for suitability, depending on the nature of the incident, not least the potential hazards presented by the vessel in question. The MCA will provide a list of options to the SOSREP who ultimately decides whether the UK is prepared and able to offer a place of refuge, and if so, where that place will be.
For a nuclear-powered vessel, the Office of Nuclear Regulation and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary would be contacted. During the process of considering place of refuge options, the MCA will consult with local stakeholders, including the local Environment Group and relevant local authorities. However, the extent to which consultation is possible would depend on the urgency of the situation and ultimately, the SOSREP has the delegated authority to direct where a vessel will go. This decision would be made based on the best interests of the UK as a whole with specific regard to safety and/or the environment.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what marine contingency planning the UK has in place for responding to a nuclear accident involving a floating nuclear reactor; how quickly that response can be mobilised; whether contingency planning has taken place regarding the floating nuclear reactor aboard the disabled Russian nuclear-powered freighter SEVMORPUT in relation to the current passage of that vessel; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) response planning to manage incidents involving dangerous cargo, including nuclear fuel, is contained in the ‘The National Contingency Plan - A Strategic Overview for Responses to Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations’ and other operational response procedures.
Her Majesty’s Coastguard will provide an initial assessment and incident response within minutes of being made aware of any maritime incident. The timing of any subsequent response will depend on the nature, scope and scale of the incident and the risks to the public and the environment.
In the case of an incident involving a nuclear-powered vessel, Her Majesty’s Coastguard will seek technical support from a ship’s owners, classification society, naval architects and insurers. They would also seek the advice of International Nuclear Services, the Office of Nuclear Regulation and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and other relevant experts.
Her Majesty’s Coastguard was aware of the routeing and passage plan of the SEVMORPUT through the English Channel on its way back to St Petersburg and was constantly monitored by both the UK and French Authorities. The ship arrived safely in Russia on 30 December 2020 without incident.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the percentage change in real terms of the average cost to the individual of travelling by (a) private car, (b) bus, (c) train and (d) domestic aeroplane since (i) 1980, (ii) 1997, (iii) 2010, (iv) 2015 and (v) 2017.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
(a-c) The Department for Transport publishes statistics on travel costs, based on data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in the Transport Statistics Great Britain compendium. This is available from Table 1308 at the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/transport-expenditure-tsgb13
Please note this table gives absolute changes in the indices and covers 1987 to 2018.
(d) The costs of travelling by air are not available from ONS data. However, DfT estimates are available based on fare data collected from the Civil Aviation Authority passenger survey from 2000. The real cost of the average UK one-way air fare, including taxes and charges, covering domestic flights from 2010 to 2018 decreased by 15%. From 2015 to 2018 the real cost increased by 2%, and from 2017 to 2018 the real cost increased by 10%.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require rail franchisees to provide part-time season tickets; when he will conclude his assessment of proposals received from train operators on ensuring increased value and convenience for part-time and flexible commuters; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government recognises the impact of Covid-19 on people’s travel patterns and therefore the need to accommodate a more flexible style of working and commuting.
The Department has proactively approached the rail industry and is currently considering proposals received from train operators that try to ensure better value and convenience for travellers, but these are unprecedented times and our immediate focus must be on ensuring that we keep the railway available and safe for those who need to rely upon it.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what policies within the transport sector he plans to introduce to ensure emissions are reduced in line with the fifth carbon budget.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The Transport Decarbonisation Plan, due to be published later this year, is the biggest piece of work we have ever done to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from transport. The holistic and cross-modal approach will set out a credible and ambitious pathway to help deliver transport’s contribution to carbon budgets and meet net zero by 2050.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to (a) waive the RPI regulated rail fares increase for 2021, (b) guarantee that commercial fares will be frozen for 2021 under any new or extended Emergency Measures Agreements reached with train operating companies and (c) freeze all fares on the franchises which are currently publicly operated; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Any increase in rail fares will help fund crucial investment in our railways. Taxpayer support has been vital to keep trains running throughout the Coronavirus pandemic and it is only fair that passengers also contribute to maintaining and improving the services they use.
We have already cut costs for thousands of young people with the 16-17 Saver Railcard, and will be rolling out a new Veteran’s Railcard to give over 830,000 former service personnel, who do not otherwise benefit from discounted rail travel, up to a third off their rail costs.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will place in the Library a copy of his response to the letter dated 8 July 2020 from the Public and Commercial Services union, the Aviation Environment Federation and others, on the inclusion of a climate objective and of representatives from environmental and community groups, academics and other trade unions in the first phase of the Expert Steering Group on restart and recovery of the aviation industry; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The International Aviation Taskforce’s Expert Steering Group (ESG) provided industry the opportunity to feed into the practical application of any new policies and co-produce solutions where possible. ESG has met its purpose and has undoubtedly been vital in achieving the milestones of producing health measures guidance and helping government establish Travel Corridors.
Whilst our absolute focus in Government at this time is combating COVID-19, we do recognise that it’s important that we continue to work on our longer-term priorities including tackling climate change and improving air quality. The Transport Secretary announced the formation of a new ‘Jet Zero Council’, which will bring together government, aviation, academia, as well as environmental groups represented through the AEF, to make net zero emission flights possible.
A copy of the Transport Secretary’s response to the letter dated 8 July 2020 will be placed in the Library.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June to Question 59209 on Aviation: Coronavirus, when the second phase of the aviation restart and recovery expert group’s work is expected to start; what the timescale is for the review of the membership of that group; if he will make it his policy for that membership to include (a) climate change experts, (b) representatives from environmental NGOs, (c) representatives from local communities affected by airport expansion plans; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The International Aviation Taskforce’s Expert Steering Group (ESG) provided industry the opportunity to feed into the practical application of any new policies and co-produce solutions where possible. ESG has met its purpose and has undoubtedly been vital in achieving the milestones of producing health measures guidance and helping government establish Travel Corridors.
Whilst our absolute focus in Government at this time is combating COVID-19, we do recognise that it’s important that we continue to work on our longer-term priorities including tackling climate change and improving air quality. The Transport Secretary announced the formation of a new ‘Jet Zero Council’, which will bring together government, aviation, academia, as well as environmental groups represented through the AEF, to make net zero emission flights possible.
A copy of the Transport Secretary’s response to the letter dated 8 July 2020 will be placed in the Library.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require rail franchisees to provide part-time season tickets; what assessment he has made of the increase in demand for part-time season tickets following increases in home working in relation to the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a fundamental change in working patterns and that this could have long-term effects. The Department is commissioning research and analysis to understand future commuting patterns and potential demand for more flexible commuting fares.
More immediately, the Department is working with industry to explore already available options for flexible commuters, such as carnets, and what steps could be taken quickly to make these as useful and convenient for passengers as possible.