Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to update the Air Navigation Order 2016 to support the use of beyond-line-of-sight drones by police forces.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The are currently no plans to update the Air Navigation Order 2016 in relation to police drone operations because non-military state drone operations such as those undertaken by police forces and performed in the public interest are already exempt from the Basic Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1139). They still must adhere to some key provisions of the ANO to maintain aviation safety for other air users and the public.
The Future of Flight programme prioritises the early adoption of drones for the delivery of public services such as the police, health, and fire and rescue.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much is received annually in rental income from the 782 properties purchased along the route of HS2.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In financial year 2024/25, a total of 1,723 properties were managed within the HS2 Managed Property Portfolio along the route of HS2 Phase 1 and the former Phase 2. This included residential, commercial, agricultural, forestry and wayleave interests, which collectively generated an annual rental income of £24 million. This income was fully used to offset the costs of managing properties acquired for HS2. Annual rental income naturally fluctuates as the proportion of tenanted properties changes over time.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the potential vulnerability to being disabled of Chinese-origin buses that are reliant upon sim connection for software upgrades.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government takes national security seriously and recognises the systematic challenges of increased connectivity and the cyber security implications for almost every area of government policy, including vehicles. The Department works closely with the transport sector and other government departments to understand and respond to cyber vulnerabilities for all transport modes.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Mayor of London on the potential impact of the cost of the Piccadilly Line renovation on TfL's finances.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Government announced a £2.2bn investment over the next four years for TfL at the Spending Review. This multi-year settlement marks the largest Government capital contribution to London's transport infrastructure in over a decade and is in addition to £485m delivered at the Budget in 2024.
As transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London, it is for him and TfL to assess the merits and financial impacts of capital projects and make decisions on investment including upgrades to the Piccadilly Line.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Chinese BYD electric buses are in service across the UK by franchise operator.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
My Department does not hold this information. For information on how many electric BYD buses have been licensed overall, please see the DVLA statistics – table VEH0133. (Vehicle licensing statistics data tables – GOV.UK)
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the deadline is for the submission of a development consent application for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It will be for scheme promoters to decide when to submit a development consent order application for a third runway scheme.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by what date she plans to complete the review into airport funding.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There is no current review into airport funding.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the feasibility of new terminals for the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport being built and operated in competition with those run by the airport.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Information about terminals and other airport infrastructure would be provided as part of a development consent order application.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the potential impact on airline ticket prices from Heathrow Airport of the need to fund the public consultation process for the proposed third runway.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is committed to delivering a third runway at Heathrow in a cost-effective way. The Civil Aviation Authority have launched a consultation on their working paper of regulatory options in their role as the independent economic regulator for the aviation industry. They propose several criteria for assessing future regulatory models, including how effective these options are in keeping costs for the travelling public low.
Aviation operates predominantly in the private sector, with ticket prices determined by many factors including competition between airlines.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the projected total cost of a third runway at Heathrow, including the consultation process; and who will be responsible for funding the planning and construction.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has been clear that any expansion at Heathrow must be affordable and firmly in the interests of passengers. The costs of the scheme, should be kept to a minimum and met through private funding, including any associated surface-transport requirements.
Whilst we have set out our ambition to move at pace, decisions on construction and operational costs are ultimately a matter for the scheme promoter. Scheme promoters are responsible for any consultation in relation to their DCO application in accordance with Planning Act 2008 requirements.