Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average train journey time from (a) Glasgow to London and (b) Bangor to London (i) is and (ii) will be following the completion of HS2.
Answered by Huw Merriman
HS2 services will provide needed additional capacity on the West Coast Mainline with increased reliability and significantly faster journey times.
Journey times between Glasgow and London will fall from the current 4 hours 30 minutes to an estimated 3 hours 48 minutes with the completion of HS2. Bangor to London is currently 3 hours 20 minutes. Faster journeys could be available when HS2 services begin via Crewe if passengers were willing to change trains. For example, the current journey time from Bangor to Crewe is 1 hour 33 minutes, with Crewe to London an estimated 55 minutes when HS2 is operational. The journey times will be dependent on the final timetable when HS2 services become operational.
No decisions have been made on the timetable that will operate when HS2 services begin. These decisions will be made nearer the start of services and will be subject to public consultation.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the requirement for seafarers to have either ENG1 or ML5 medical certificates in order to continue working at sea after November 2023, what assessment he has made of whether it is appropriate to include questions relating to BMI in the application process seafarers must undertake in order to obtain a ML5 medical certificate.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
The use of body mass index (BMI) is included in the International Labour Organization/International Maritime Organization’s Guidelines of the medical examinations of seafarers. Body mass index is a useful indicator of when additional assessment is needed. It does not form the sole basis for decisions on capability. There is no upper limit on BMI value for the assessor to issue a medical certificate and any restrictions or unfit decisions are usually based on other medical conditions and issues with physical capability rather than the BMI number itself.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the requirement for seafarers to have either ENG1 or ML5 medical certificates in order to continue working at sea after November 2023, what the cost implications will be for seafarers who are denied an ML5 medical certificate and appeal the decision.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
There is no cost to the seafarer to exercise their right to appeal against failure or restriction for an ENG1 certificate other than the cost of travel to the appointment with the referee if the review takes place face to face. There is no cost to the seafarer for referral for an ML5 certificate. The costs of appeal or referral are borne by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the number of seafarers working in the UK of the requirement for seafarers to have either ENG1 or ML5 medical certificates in order to continue working at sea after November 2023; what recent discussions he has had with organisations representing seafarers on the requirement for seafarers to have either ENG1 or ML5 medical certificates; what steps he is taking to support seafarers who will be required to obtain either ENG1 or ML5 medical certificates; and what steps he is taking to raise awareness among seafarers.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
The main intended outcome, given that the risk level of commercial fishing in the UK is estimated to be 100 times greater than the general workforce, is to ensure that those in the industry are not likely, because of a medical condition, to put themselves in danger, or put others in danger in coming to rescue them.
The requirement for a medical certificate brings fishing into line with all other maritime sectors, and indeed other transport sectors, and all seafarers other than fishers have been required to hold a medical certificate for many years.
The Department for Transport is particularly mindful of those already working in the sector, and this is why we have put Grandfather Rights in place. No-one in the industry has yet been refused a ML5 medical fitness certificate by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) medical assessors.
The MCA has extensively engaged with industry on this over many years, including through a public consultation. The MCA has written to those in the sector with information and published guidance on www.gov.uk, including a Q&A addressing the most common concerns. The MCA has also been working with the Fishermen’s Mission to help deliver the message on quaysides, as well as through MCA surveyors.
Any fisher concerned or uncertain about how to obtain a medical certificate can contact the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Medical Administration Team who can advise on the process to follow.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential economic benefits of the Northern Powerhouse Rail for Wales.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Government published the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the North and Midlands in November 2021 of which Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) forms one component. As NPR is a programme designed to improve connectivity in the North of England, specific economic benefits accruing to Wales from the scheme have not been assessed.
The IRP will improve onward connectivity to the South West and Wales via a new high-speed line from Birmingham to Manchester. Much of North Wales will also be brought within two and a quarter hours of London, via interchange with HS2 at Crewe. In addition, the Midlands Rail Hub business case focuses on improving links to Hereford, Worcester, Coventry and regional links to South Wales and Bristol.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
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 extending the length of time for which Ukrainian refugees may drive a Ukrainian-registered vehicle without (a) registering and (b) taxing the vehicle with the DVLA.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Foreign registered vehicles brought temporarily into the UK are exempt from UK registration and licensing requirements for up to six months in any 12-month period. After this period and to comply with road safety legislation, any foreign vehicle must be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The Government recognises the unique circumstances that many Ukrainians have encountered when fleeing their home country and in response His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is reviewing import duty relief applications. I have assigned dedicated resource across my Department to support those that need to register their vehicle.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring diesel cars to undergo a particulate filter efficiency test as occurs in The Netherlands.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
Some initial research has been undertaken by the Department relating to availability of equipment for checks of functioning diesel particulate filters. Where emissions control equipment fitted by a vehicle manufacturer is missing, obviously modified, or defective, the vehicle will not pass its annual MOT test. The Department for Transport keeps the requirements of the MOT test under review and we note with interest the developments that have taken place in parts of Europe.