Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Inclusive Transport Strategy, published in July 2018, what recent progress his Department has made on developing a monitoring and enforcement framework for mandatory bus driver disability awareness training.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Department for Transport publishes annual bus statistics which include an assessment of the proportion of operators requiring relevant staff to undertake disability awareness training consistent with relevant legislation. The most recent release indicated that 98% of staff worked for bus operators that mandated this training. The Department continues to engage with industry and regulators to ensure a proportionate approach to enforcement is followed.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish his Department's its guidance for bus operators on the quality of training in relation to the EU Bus and Coach Regulations 2013 on making bus transport more accessible to guide-dog owners.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Government remains committed to publishing best practice guidance on the provision of high quality disability awareness training for bus and coach drivers, to support operators to ensure that every driver has the knowledge and skills to assist disabled passengers.
We will publish the guidance later in the year and will work with the bus and coach industry to encourage its adoption.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the oral evidence of the former Minister of State to the Transport Committee on active travel on 1 May 2019, what his policy is on increasing Government funding for improvements to cycling.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government is keen to promote cycling and understands this involves increasing funding. Decisions on future funding will be made as part of the multi-year Spending Review, which is planned for 2020.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans has he to discuss with bus operators a device to allow buses to carry bicycles by means of an external rack either in front or behind the vehicle.
Answered by George Freeman
It is for individual bus operators to take decisions on whether to fit racks for bicycles on their services. While I currently have no plans to discuss this, I would encourage bus operators to consider fitting such equipment where it is safe and legal to do so.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding and other Government support for the tree nursery industry to ensure that it is able to plan and invest in the infrastructure required to increase the numbers of trees that the Government estimates will be required to be planted to help meet its climate change and biodiversity targets.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
We do not provide direct support to tree nurseries. Our sustained support for new woodland creation helps ensure that there is ongoing demand for forest trees. The Forestry Commission has regular contact with representative bodies, sharing information on the expected level of tree planting and demand for trees to aid the planning of tree production.
We are looking at how we can support the nursery industry in improving biosecurity and improve tree seed viability.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to (a) collate statistics on the number of trees in the UK and (b) ensure that existing trees are adequately maintained.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The National Forest Inventory Forest Research, part of the Forestry Commission, gathers data on the number of trees within woodland in Britain. In addition it monitors the canopy area of trees outside of woodland within. More details of the work carried out and information it publishes can be found here: https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/national-forest-inventory/about-the-nfi/
All woodland is protected against unauthorised removal through the control of tree felling in the Forestry Act 1967, the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations and the planning system. Activities authorised and supported by the Forestry Commission, including woodland management which has grant support available through Countryside Stewardship and Felling Licences applications, are expected to meet the UK Forestry Standard, the Government’s approach to sustainable forestry.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the Government will make an assessment of the effect of urban trees on levels of human physical health and well being; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The Social and Economic Research Group of Forest Research, part of the Forestry Commission, focuses on understanding the complex relationships between forestry, the environment and society. The importance of peri urban woods and urban woods for people’s wellbeing, both physical, mental and social is well known. The group is currently participating in a number of activities which will help increase our understanding of the health and wellbeing benefits of trees and greenspace.
The Forestry Commission also supports the Urban Forest and Woodland Advisory Committee Network, which advises the Forestry Commission on forestry. The network has produced various publications on the benefits of a resilient urban forest, including for human health and quality of life.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require each local authority to employ suitably qualified public-realm tree officers to ensure that (a) statistics are collated on the number of trees and (b) existing trees are adequately maintained in each local authority area.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
A public consultation on policies to improve the management of our trees and woodlands by Local Authorities was opened in December 2018. The consultation ended in February 2019. This document set out Government’s view on the importance of trees, especially in an urban environment, and the need for more policies to enhance the status and protection of urban trees.
The Government committed in the 25 Year Environment Plan to introduce a duty on Local Authorities to consult the public on felling street trees. This will increase the transparency of decision-making and give the public a say in the management of these important natural assets. It will encourage local authorities to consider concerns raised and have regard to these when making decisions. This duty will be introduced in the forthcoming Environment Bill.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require each local authority to employ suitably qualified public-realm tree officers to ensure that (a) statistics are collated on the number and condition of trees and (b) existing trees are adequately maintained in each local authority area.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
A public consultation on policies to improve the management of our trees and woodlands by Local Authorities was opened in December 2018. The consultation ended in February 2019. This document set out Government’s view on the importance of trees, especially in an urban environment, and the need for more policies to enhance the status and protection of urban trees.
The Government committed in the 25 Year Environment Plan to introduce a duty on Local Authorities to consult the public on felling street trees. This will increase the transparency of decision-making and give the public a say in the management of these important natural assets. It will encourage local authorities to consider concerns raised and have regard to these when making decisions. This duty will be introduced in the forthcoming Environment Bill.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether (a) she or (b) the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will make a decision, following consultation, on whether more nuclear waste from former Magnox Stations will be stored in situ for the indefinite future.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
Guidance issued by the environment agencies (Guidance on Requirements for Release of Nuclear Sites from Radioactive Substances Regulation) identifies a credible option of leaving behind some low level radioactive waste as a permitted disposal after a nuclear site has been decommissioned. All Site Licence Companies, including Magnox Ltd, are required to consider the new guidance when defining the optimum end state for each site. In situ disposal of some wastes, rather than retrieving and disposing of it in some other manner, could significantly reduce environmental impacts, health and safety risks and costs and preserve much-needed waste disposal infrastructure capacity.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Magnox Ltd, which became a subsidiary of the NDA on 1 September 2019, will continually review key strategies (including those relating to waste management and end states) and engage with stakeholders where necessary to ensure that plans represent the best and most up-to-date approaches.