Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Department for Transport:
What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the proposal to merge British Transport Police in Scotland with Police Scotland.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Scotland Act 2016, following the Smith Agreement, devolves responsibility for railway policing in Scotland. The Scottish Government have announced that, although full integration of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland remains the long-term ambition, other options are now being explored. The Government continues to work with the Scottish Government as they develop their plans and we remain committed to ensuring the continuing effectiveness of railway policing across the network.
Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on the viability of the aviation sector of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Lord Grayling
The Government is undertaking a wide range of ongoing analysis in support of our EU exit negotiations and preparations. Our overall programme of work is comprehensive, thorough and is continuously updated. The Department for Transport is working closely with the sector to ensure that the requirements of the industry are factored into negotiations.
The UK government and European Commission have agreed in principle that the two sides should negotiate a comprehensive air transport agreement. This will ensure that the aviation sector can continue to provide the connectivity that is vital for both the UK and EU. We are focused on securing the right arrangements for the future, so that our aviation industry can continue to thrive and passengers across the UK and the EU continue to have high levels of connectivity and choice at attractive prices. The EU model of liberalisation has enhanced competition which has led to these benefits we see today.
Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on the viability of the UK aviation sector of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Lord Grayling
Aviation is critical to both the UK and the EU, so the Government has confidence that an outcome that works in the interests of both sides can be achieved. The Government’s July 2018 White Paper sets out proposals for a comprehensive Air Transport Agreement which seeks to maintain reciprocal liberalised aviation access to, from and within the territory of the UK and the EU, as well as continued participation in the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) system.
We will continue to work closely with the international aviation community to ensure that the needs of the industry are addressed as part of the negotiations and that this global industry continues to be a major success story for the UK economy.
Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on the viability of the UK aviation sector of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Lord Grayling
Aviation is critical to both the UK and the EU, so the Government has confidence that an outcome that works in the interests of both sides can be achieved. The Government’s July 2018 White Paper sets out proposals for a comprehensive Air Transport Agreement which seeks to maintain reciprocal liberalised aviation access to, from and within the territory of the UK and the EU, as well as continued participation in the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) system.
We will continue to work closely with the international aviation community to ensure that the needs of the industry are addressed as part of the negotiations and that this global industry continues to be a major success story for the UK economy.