Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the 16-25 railcard to bus travel.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
Concessionary fares for young people are already available in the vast majority of authorities in England outside of London and such concessionary fares for young people are a matter for local authorities and bus operators to determine in their local areas. Therefore at this point the Department has no plans to introduce a statutory national bus travel concession for young people in England.
Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that taxis and private hire vehicles are accessible to people with disabilities.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
Accessible taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) services are essential for helping many disabled people to remain independent and complete door-to-door journeys.
In 2017 we commenced legislation to ensure wheelchair users receive the support they require and are not charged extra when taking taxis and PHVs, and later in the year we plan to review the reasons why some drivers continue to refuse passengers with assistance dogs, and the efficacy of actions to prevent such behaviour.
Ultimately however, local licensing authorities should use their existing powers to ensure that taxi and PHV fleets reflect the needs of passengers, that drivers understand the rights and requirements of disabled people, and that robust action is taken against drivers who discriminate illegally against them.
Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to launch the public consultation on the future of Arriva Cross Country's franchise for services to and from Cheltenham.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
We plan on holding the public consultation for this franchise later this year.
Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support the Government is offering to UK pilot licence holders in the five year transfer period for registering for an EASA licence.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Under the EASA Aircrew Regulation pilots of EASA aircraft are required to hold an EASA licence. However, certain non EASA aeroplane and helicopter licences remain valid until 8 April 2018 to enable a smooth transition to the new requirements. The CAA publicised the requirement when the Aircrew Regulation was adopted and has been actively advising licence holders of this requirement through a variety of channels. Those seeking further information will find it on the CAA website.
All pilots who hold a licence issued under the Joint Aviation Requirements that preceded the Aircrew Regulation and who have a valid medical certificate, without which they cannot fly an EASA aircraft, have now been issued with an EASA licence. This is the vast majority of pilots who hold such licences.
The holders of other licences that wish to fly EASA aircraft will need to convert their licence to an EASA licence. However, there is no obligation on pilots to convert their licences. Those that do not convert their licences will still be able to fly non-EASA aircraft such as historic, homebuilt or very light aircraft.
Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that rail companies provide passengers with the best possible ticket price for train journeys in order to eliminate the practice of split ticketing.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Passengers benefit from a range of tickets and competition between train operators on the railway allowing them to choose the best ticket for their journey based on a number of factors including journey times and fares. However, as a result it can sometimes be cheaper to buy two or more tickets for individual parts of the journey rather than buying a through-ticket. Going forward, we will review rail ticketing, removing complexity and perverse pricing.
Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including first aid in the driving test.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) includes first aid information in its study materials for both the theory and practical driving tests. In addition, the theory part of the driving test includes questions about first aid.
Introducing a test on first aid into the practical driving test would lengthen the test, resulting in fewer tests per day, longer waiting times for tests and higher cost.
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for vocational drivers includes first aid training, and there are 130 CPC approved courses that are wholly first aid courses.
Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has received representations on the need for clarification of his Department's guidance on Blue Badge holders to avoid any possible confusion for local authorities and badge holders that may arise about where the badge holders can park; and if he will take steps to ensure that the guidance on such badge holders is as clear as possible.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department receives occasional enquiries about disabled parking. Our publication “The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England” gives advice on where Blue Badge holders can park. This publication is also provided to new badge holders upon receiving their Blue Badge.
Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress is being made on his Department's work leading a glare group as part of the UN expert group on vehicle lighting.
Answered by Jesse Norman
A preliminary recommendation from the technical group on glare, in which my officials participate, was presented to the UN Expert Group on Lighting in October 2017. Under scrutiny, concerns have been raised, including by the UK, that the recommendation may not adequately address the glare problem. Further evidence was requested which the Department expects to be presented when the subject is discussed again in April 2018.
Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for his Department's consultation on the future of community transport connections, and the effect of new EU regulations on that transport.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department for Transport will be consulting on the issue and use of section 19 and section 22 permits under the Transport Act 1985 shortly.
Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of the DVLA’s current cost recovery model for fees levied to access driver records by private parking operators.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency keeps the cost recovery model for the fees levied for data release to private parking companies under regular review.