Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to recent research on pollution particles potentially triggering Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases, whether his Department has re-assessed the potential merits of measures to expand the use of electric-powered public transport.
Answered by John Hayes
The Government is committed to a move towards zero emission road transport. This includes cars as well as other vehicles, such as buses. Our £30m Low Emission Bus Scheme is funding the delivery of over 320 Low Emission Buses – of which 86 are fully electric buses – from 2016 to 2019. A further £3.2m worth of supporting infrastructure will be funded under the scheme.
The Departments for Transport and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are working closely with the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, the Department for Health and Public Health England to consider all evidence on the medical impacts of air pollution. Our daily air quality forecasts provide health messages to the public based on the expertise of Public Health England.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will assess the potential merits of introducing more incentives to encourage motorists to use cleaner fuels and public transport.
Answered by John Hayes
The Department for Transport assesses a number of different fuels in terms of a range of environmental impacts including air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. A number of initiatives are underway to encourage cleaner, lower carbon fuels.
This Government is investing over £600 million in this Parliament in addition, to a more favorable tax regime towards less polluting vehicles to ensure that almost all cars and vans are zero emission vehicles by 2050.
The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) has supported a market for low carbon fuels and delivered significant greenhouse gas emissions savings. In 2014/15 these savings were equivalent to taking 1.3 million cars off the road. We have been working with industry and others on proposals to increase the supply of low carbon fuels in line with our UK carbon budget targets. We plan to consult on proposed changes to the RTFO scheme later this year.
The Government will continue to promote public transport choices, supporting the market for innovative forms of transport and encourage a move to cleaner and lower carbon vehicles.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department expects an updated Strategic Noise Map for Edinburgh Airport to be available.
Answered by John Hayes
As noise is a devolved matter, the UK Government is not able to answer questions on noise mapping for Scottish airports. This is the responsibility of the Scottish Government and they will be able to advise on this matter.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to hold a consultation with the Scottish Government on the future of the NATS centre at Prestwick.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Government is currently exploring the sale of its 49 per cent shareholding in NATS, and will ensure that the Scottish Government is consulted about any implications for Prestwick.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what timetable the Government plans to follow for the proposed sale of its share in NATS.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Government is currently committed to exploring the sale of its 49% shareholding in NATS and maximise returns to the taxpayer.
We have not yet set a timetable for the sale.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what correspondence he has had with Vauxhall on Vauxhall Zafira car safety issues; and what steps he has taken to help deal with those issues.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is in regular contact with Vauxhall regarding their investigation into the cause of the fires. Vauxhall are continuing their action of notifying owners of Zafira's, requesting the return of the vehicle to a franchised dealer for inspection of the heating and ventilation system.
DVSA have a forthcoming meeting with Vauxhall to evaluate early evidence from the fire damaged vehicles and those vehicles examined as part of the pro-active action. DVSA will continue to work with the manufacturer to identify the cause of the fires and agree an action going forward to address the issue.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will estimate the number of journeys by hauliers from Scotland that have been delayed as a result of (a) closures to the Channel Tunnel and (b) ferry delays due to disruptions at Calais in the last three months.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department does not have a specific estimate of the number of journeys by hauliers from Scotland delayed as a result of closures to the Channel Tunnel and disruption at Calais in the last three months.
Statistics for previous years road freight journeys to and from the UK and the continent have been published, although figures for 2015 are not yet available. In 2014 there were 352,000 journeys made between the UK and the continent by UK registered powered goods vehicles, although not all of these travelled via Dover or Eurotunnel.
17 July was the 15th day of Operation Stack within the past 3 months.