Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 January 2019 to Question 205963, for what reason the contract with Seaborne Freight was withdrawn.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
Following the withdrawal of an important prospective backer, Arklow Shipping, the Secretary of State concluded that the core requirements of the contract could no longer be met, and therefore exercised his right to terminate.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many civil servants worked on the (a) contract, (b) due diligence and (c) award of the ferry route to Seaborne Freight.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The contract awarded to Seaborne was part of a broader procurement exercise to secure additional freight capacity after Brexit. The precise staff time involved could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect withdrawing from the Seaborne Freight contract will have on preparations for leaving the EU without a deal.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Seaborne Freight contract represented approximately a quarter of the capacity acquired in the December contracts. The Department continues to explore options for promoting freight capacity in the event of a no-deal exit.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the smooth running of the Eurostar and freight trains travelling between the UK and the EU in the event that no withdrawal agreement is reached with the EU.
Answered by Chris Grayling
The Government is actively engaging with a range of European counterparts, including relevant Member States, to secure bilateral arrangements for cross-border rail services for both passengers and freight once the UK leaves the EU to secure the continuation of services.
These discussions have been constructive and productive and include consideration of arrangements needed both following the implementation period, as well as preparations for the unlikely event of no deal.
The Government is committed to supporting the continued success of the Channel Tunnel, including both passenger and rail freight services that run through it, and we want to see these grow in the future. Doing so is in the mutual interests of both the UK and other EU member states.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU without a deal on the Eurostar and rail freight companies in relation to the EU Commission’s position on the validity of ORR issued rail operating licences within the EU after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Chris Grayling
The UK is committed to ensuring the continued smooth functioning and operation of cross-border rail services through the Channel Tunnel, which is in the mutual interests of both the UK and affected EU Member States.
The Government is actively engaging with a range of European counterparts, including relevant Member States, to secure bilateral arrangements for cross-border rail services for both passenger and freight services once the UK leaves the EU. Discussions to date have been productive and we remain confident about concluding appropriate arrangements so that these mutually-beneficial cross-border services continue.
The Government is also working closely with cross-border rail operators to ensure they are as prepared as possible for all scenarios, including supporting operators’ preparations to ensure they hold valid licences and certificates to continue operating in the EU in the event of no deal. The Government is also engaging with relevant Member States and regulators to maintain appropriate levels of cooperation, for example on safety and economic matters. These preparations will support the continued smooth operation of services in all scenarios.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Office of Rail and Road issued rail operator licences will be invalid in the EU in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
Answered by Chris Grayling
As set out in the ‘Rail Transport if there’s no Brexit deal’ technical notice, published by the Government in October 2018, the European Commission has indicated that, in the event of no deal, operator licences issued by the ORR (as the UK’s licensing authority) to operators currently operating in the EU would not remain valid in the EU after EU exit. However, the technical notice also made clear that arrangements for cross-border services would be subject to any bilateral arrangements that the UK negotiates with individual EU countries. On the basis of the productive discussions with relevant member states, we remain confident about concluding appropriate bilateral arrangements so that these mutually-beneficial cross border services continue.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the port of Ostend on the proposed re-opening of the Ostend to Ramsgate ferry route.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Government is not a party to any contract with the port of Ostend. The operational plans for the Ostend to Ramsgate ferry route have been reviewed by my Department.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to ensure that the (a) tendering process, (b) contract and (c) funding for the re-opening of the Ostend to Ramsgate ferry route complies with (i) the Concession Agreement with Eurotunnel, (ii) state aid rules and (iii) competition law; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
In the Government's view, the contracts do not breach the concession agreement with Eurotunnel. Obligations under competition and state aid law were taken into account as part of the contractual process.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will place in the Library a full list of companies that his Department has engaged in contracts with for work relating to preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
Answered by Chris Grayling
In line with transparency obligations the details of contract awards over £10k are published on Contracts Finder. The Department endeavours to do this in a reasonable time, and where possible within 90 days of the contract award date.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he anticipates the Ramsgate to Ostend ferry route will be open to freight if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
I expect this route to be open to freight by April 2019.