Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with stakeholders on the potential impact of US trade policy on the (a) level and (b) speed of production of sustainable aviation fuel in the UK.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government is helping encourage the production of SAF in the UK in a number of ways. We are helping to derisk SAF projects by legislating to introduce a revenue certainty mechanism and announced £63m of funding through the Advanced Fuels Fund to help grow the UK supply of SAF. We continually monitor changes to wider global trade strategies, ensuring they are factored into policy development and delivery.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with the National Wealth Fund on support for the production of sustainable aviation fuel.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport maintains regular engagement with the National Wealth Fund (NWF) with discussions focussing on, amongst other things, sharing information and knowledge on issues facing the transport and associated sectors. In March, the Chancellor confirmed the government’s strategic priorities for the NWF over this Parliament, explicitly mentioning low carbon fuels.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential for the former coal power station site at Longannet to be used in the production of third generation sustainable aviation fuel.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government is encouraging the production of SAF at sites across the UK in a number of ways. We are helping to derisk SAF projects by legislating to introduce a revenue certainty mechanism. The government has also announced £63m of funding to help grow the UK supply of SAF through the Advanced Fuels Fund.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to support the introduction of hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government recognises the potential decarbonisation and growth benefits that new forms of zero-emission aircraft using hydrogen could provide.
The Department for Business and Trade is co-investing with industry through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme in R&D on aerospace technology, including projects focussed on hydrogen-powered aircraft. The Budget confirmed a five-year extension to the ATI programme with nearly £1bn of funding.
Supported by Department for Transport funding, the Civil Aviation Authority is also expanding its Hydrogen in Aviation Regulatory Challenge this year.
The Jet Zero Taskforce, convening representatives from government, industry, and academia, has established a dedicated Task and Finish group to review barriers to the commercial operation of zero-carbon hydrogen aircraft.
In addition, as Minister for Aviation I have recently met with the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance regarding the potential for commercial hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with relevant industry stakeholders on the potential introduction of hydrogen-powered aircraft for passenger use.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government recognises the potential decarbonisation and growth benefits that new forms of zero-emission aircraft using hydrogen could provide.
The Department for Business and Trade is co-investing with industry through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme in R&D on aerospace technology, including projects focussed on hydrogen-powered aircraft. The Budget confirmed a five-year extension to the ATI programme with nearly £1bn of funding.
Supported by Department for Transport funding, the Civil Aviation Authority is also expanding its Hydrogen in Aviation Regulatory Challenge this year.
The Jet Zero Taskforce, convening representatives from government, industry, and academia, has established a dedicated Task and Finish group to review barriers to the commercial operation of zero-carbon hydrogen aircraft.
In addition, as Minister for Aviation I have recently met with the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance regarding the potential for commercial hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will conduct an audit of transport infrastructure identified as critically important to national interests to identify whether they contain Chinese-made components.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government takes the security and resilience of our critical infrastructure extremely seriously. We balance this with ongoing cooperation with China on trade and investment, supporting UK businesses to engage with the world’s second largest economy while being clear-eyed about any risks.
We work with the National Cyber Security Centre, National Protective Security Authority and across government to advise owners and operators of critical national infrastructure on supply chains and the risks posed by components manufactured overseas. We may also consider powers afforded by the Procurement Act 2023, which allow the Government to exclude and debar any company from public procurement on grounds of national security if required. We continue to actively monitor for any threats and, where risks are identified, will not hesitate to take action, with policy options kept under review.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department provides to define (a) stranded, (b) stranded and (c) abandoned vessels under section 252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The gov.uk website provides a definition of abandoned when discussing derelict vessels. Guidance is available on Wreck and salvage law - GOV.UK and port association websites.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will published updated guidance to define (a) sunk, (b) stranded and (c) abandoned vessels for the under the terms of s.252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
At present there is no evidence that the department has received that suggests that the definitions require updating. The department keeps all of its guidance under review and should there be a need to, updates guidance accordingly.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance exists to define (a) sunk", (b) stranded and (c) abandoned vessels for the under the terms of s.252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Guidance can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wreck-and-salvage-law. Local port acts may contain additional definitions that may vary from act to act.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will hold discussions with her counterpart in the Scottish Government on compelling the removal of derelict small boats in Scottish harbours.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
While DFT keeps in regular contact with our counterparts in Transport Scotland, Ports policy is devolved and any issues regarding Scottish ports and harbours would be for colleagues at Transport Scotland and the relevant Scottish minister to oversee.
DfT has not been made aware that there is a substantial issue around derelict small boats in Scottish harbours, either by Scottish authorities during our regular engagement or members of the public. The department would of course welcome a meeting with the relevant Scottish authorities if they felt there was a need to do so.