Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the requirement for Eurostar passengers entering the UK to wear face masks does not apply to passengers on other railway services operating in the UK during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Eurostar runs international services to several destinations in Europe, including Brussels and Paris and, as such, must comply with the requirements of the countries it operates in. In line with guidelines announced by the French and Belgian governments, Eurostar has amended its Conditions of Carriage to require all passengers to bring and wear a face covering for all Eurostar services across its full route to provide clarity for its passengers.
However, the Government has also been clear that it is advising passengers in England, where they can, to wear a face covering if they need to use public transport.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
What recent steps the Government has taken to help prevent key workers who (a) work on and (b) use the rail network contracting covid-19.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
Drivers and other public transport staff have been working hard to ensure that all those on the frontline can get to work. New safer transport guidance was published on 12 May, and we are working closely with transport operators across the sector on its implementation.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) discussions and (b) correspondence his Department has had with Greater Anglia in relation to its commitment to provide four 90-minute services per day between Norwich and London during calendar year 2018.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
The Greater Anglia Franchise Agreement sets out the obligation to deliver the improved journey time between Norwich and London Liverpool Street from May 2019. Greater Anglia continues to develop the May 2019 timetable and as part of the improvements for passengers secured through this franchise Greater Anglia is delivering a whole new fleet of trains that are on track to enter passenger service in 2019.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department spent on advertising with the Evening Standard newspaper in each year since 2010.
Answered by John Hayes
The Department buys advertising space for statutory and other public notices, recruitment and public information and behaviour change communication campaigns. Advertising space is bought through agents (e.g. media buying and recruitment) as part of integrated services. The cost of those adverts appearing in a single newspaper in each year since 2010 can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department policy is on retaining the Government's stake in National Air Traffic Service Holdings; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
In 2012, following a call for evidence to explore the options for the future of the government’s 49% shareholding in NATS, the government announced that it planned to retain its share in NATS Holdings. However, as with all government held assets, the government continues to keep ownership options under review.