Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will ban the discharge of wash water from open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems within UK territorial waters.
Answered by Mike Kane
The UK is committed to reducing the impact of shipping on the environment. In April, we cosponsored a proposal at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to create a new Emission Control Area. This will reduce pollutants across all UK waters.
The use of exhaust gas cleaning systems is regulated by the IMO, where the UK has an evidence led approach to their use as a compliance mechanism. We will be assessing the impact of discharges from open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems in UK waters as part of our ongoing consideration of the environmental impacts of shipping.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will meet with the hon. Member for North Cornwall to discuss the potential availability of funding to extend the Camel Trail cycle path.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I commend the honourable gentleman for his continued advocacy for the Camel Trail cycle path in his constituency. As he will be aware, officials from the Department for Transport attended our meeting on 1 April, and prior input was sought from Active Travel England.
Decisions on future funding for active travel will be a matter for the Spending Review, and it is for Cornwall Council to make its own decisions about where to prioritise investment in local transport networks, including walking and cycling infrastructure.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve road safety for vulnerable road users.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
This Government treats road safety with the utmost seriousness, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. My Department is developing our road safety strategy and will set out more details in due course.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on her planned port strategy; and what plans she has for future funding of port infrastructure.
Answered by Mike Kane
My Department is not currently planning on publishing a ports strategy, however, on 25th March we published the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy and we are continuing to develop a Maritime Strategy. Both address the Department’s priorities for the ports sector.
The Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy sets out Government’s plans for decarbonising the domestic maritime sector, including goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and policies to support this. The Maritime Strategy will be published later this year. It will focus on our four priorities of people, growth, environment and safety. Ports have a crucial role to play across all of these.
The Department is engaging with colleagues at the National Wealth Fund given Ports are a priority area for NWF investment.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the time take for Maritime and Coastguard Agency inspections on the economic sustainability of inshore fishing businesses in rural coastal communities.
Answered by Mike Kane
The majority of inspections the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carries out on fishing vessels are part of a regular survey and certification cycle. These certificates have a window to allow the operator to arrange an inspection well in advance and at a convenient time to ensure the impact on their business is as low as possible.
Following the sale of a vessel compliance with the relevant code needs to be confirmed before commercial operation can commence. Whilst elements of this should not change of transfer of ownership multiple areas are related to the individual and their operation of the vessel.
Historically, vessel certificates were linked solely to the vessel, with no owner details listed, and no change of owner inspection was required. However, after incidents where previous owners removed loose gear, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) raised concerns and recommended changes to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Consequently, the change of owner inspection was introduced to ensure continued compliance. This inspection verifies that the vessel has not been modified, loose gear remains onboard, and the new operator has the necessary qualifications and familiarity with the craft. A dispensation has not been considered, as there is no evidence suggesting surveyor availability is causing delays for newly purchased vessels entering service.
The MCA undertakes more than 1200 inspections on fishing vessels annually. Our service level agreement for non-chargeable inspections on under 15m vessel is that we offer an inspection slot within 14 calendar days and in the majority of cases this is being met. Our service levels are monitored and there is no evidence of a failure to attend vessels in a timely manner which would demonstrate a need for an increase in capacity.
The MCA ensure any substantiated complaints and concerns are considered and addressed as needed.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has considered introducing a temporary dispensation for newly-purchased fishing vessels awaiting Maritime and Coastguard Agency inspection.
Answered by Mike Kane
The majority of inspections the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carries out on fishing vessels are part of a regular survey and certification cycle. These certificates have a window to allow the operator to arrange an inspection well in advance and at a convenient time to ensure the impact on their business is as low as possible.
Following the sale of a vessel compliance with the relevant code needs to be confirmed before commercial operation can commence. Whilst elements of this should not change of transfer of ownership multiple areas are related to the individual and their operation of the vessel.
Historically, vessel certificates were linked solely to the vessel, with no owner details listed, and no change of owner inspection was required. However, after incidents where previous owners removed loose gear, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) raised concerns and recommended changes to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Consequently, the change of owner inspection was introduced to ensure continued compliance. This inspection verifies that the vessel has not been modified, loose gear remains onboard, and the new operator has the necessary qualifications and familiarity with the craft. A dispensation has not been considered, as there is no evidence suggesting surveyor availability is causing delays for newly purchased vessels entering service.
The MCA undertakes more than 1200 inspections on fishing vessels annually. Our service level agreement for non-chargeable inspections on under 15m vessel is that we offer an inspection slot within 14 calendar days and in the majority of cases this is being met. Our service levels are monitored and there is no evidence of a failure to attend vessels in a timely manner which would demonstrate a need for an increase in capacity.
The MCA ensure any substantiated complaints and concerns are considered and addressed as needed.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on increasing inspection capacity.
Answered by Mike Kane
The majority of inspections the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carries out on fishing vessels are part of a regular survey and certification cycle. These certificates have a window to allow the operator to arrange an inspection well in advance and at a convenient time to ensure the impact on their business is as low as possible.
Following the sale of a vessel compliance with the relevant code needs to be confirmed before commercial operation can commence. Whilst elements of this should not change of transfer of ownership multiple areas are related to the individual and their operation of the vessel.
Historically, vessel certificates were linked solely to the vessel, with no owner details listed, and no change of owner inspection was required. However, after incidents where previous owners removed loose gear, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) raised concerns and recommended changes to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Consequently, the change of owner inspection was introduced to ensure continued compliance. This inspection verifies that the vessel has not been modified, loose gear remains onboard, and the new operator has the necessary qualifications and familiarity with the craft. A dispensation has not been considered, as there is no evidence suggesting surveyor availability is causing delays for newly purchased vessels entering service.
The MCA undertakes more than 1200 inspections on fishing vessels annually. Our service level agreement for non-chargeable inspections on under 15m vessel is that we offer an inspection slot within 14 calendar days and in the majority of cases this is being met. Our service levels are monitored and there is no evidence of a failure to attend vessels in a timely manner which would demonstrate a need for an increase in capacity.
The MCA ensure any substantiated complaints and concerns are considered and addressed as needed.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will communicate directly with (a) residents and (b) businesses in (i) Camelford and (ii) surrounding areas on plans for the proposed A39 bypass.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The government currently is undertaking a multi-year spending review. Until the outcome of this is known, I am unable to provide any assurances on Departmental funding for the A39 Camelford bypass scheme which is being promoted by Cornwall Council as part of the Department’s Major Road Networks/ Large Local Majors programme.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of seafarers’ (a) welfare and (b) roster patterns, in the context of the collision between Solong and Stena Immaculate.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is undertaking an investigation into the incident. Its findings will be made available in due course. MAIB will consider the circumstances of the incident, including any relevant crewing issues. We must give those teams the time and support to do their job without pre-judging what may have caused this tragic incident.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to help (a) ports and (b) the shipping industry to (i) reduce emissions and (ii) transition to cleaner fuels.
Answered by Mike Kane
We will shortly set out our next steps for reducing shipping emissions in a forthcoming maritime decarbonisation plan, which will include a package of policy and regulatory measures and action across both the port and shipping industries. Reducing emissions will rely on increased efficiency of operators, combined with a transition to cleaner zero, and near-zero greenhouse gas emission fuels and energy sources, and this plan will consider both the role of these fuels, and how we will support their uptake.