Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the level of customer demand for a trolley-only catering service on Great Western Intercity Express trains.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department published the response to its consultation on the future of the Great Western franchise on 28 August 2018: (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/736146/great-western-rail-franchise-stakeholder-briefing-document.pdf). This shows ten areas of response from consultees about catering, including comments about both trolley services and buffet cars.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to protect rail infrastructure from disruption by protesters.
Answered by Andrew Jones
DfT works closely with Network Rail, the British Transport Police (BTP) and other security and rail industry partners to minimise the risk of disruption to rail services. The operation of Britain’s railway infrastructure lies with Network Rail and it takes threats to, and trespass on, the railway network very seriously. When unlawful protest occurs, BTP leads in the response, investigation and prosecution of offenders. Following recent events, DfT has reminded rail operators of the need to remain vigilant and to report unusual behaviour to the police.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff East)
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pursuant to the Answer of 10 January 2019 to Question 205963, for what reason the contract with Seaborne Freight was withdrawn.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
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 East)
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
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 East)
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
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 East)
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 Lord 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.