Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Eurostar International Limited on the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on the future of the service.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Ministers and officials, working with other Government Departments, have engaged extensively with Eurostar since March 2020 in relation to their financial situation to help the company access Government support schemes where it is eligible and appropriate. We will continue to engage, at both official and Ministerial level, with Eurostar and the French government regarding the continuing impact of COVID-19 on Eurostar and on any potential financial support proposals.
We will also work with the international travel industry, including Eurostar, through the relaunch of the Global Travel Taskforce and as we look to support the restart of wider international travel when it is safe to do so.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the role of the Eurostar service in reducing the climate impact of travel between the UK and mainland Europe.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Government recognises that high-speed international rail services provide major benefits for UK and European citizens and businesses, including associated environmental benefits.
The overwhelming majority of passengers travelling between London and Paris or Brussels now choose to do so by rail, as opposed to by air, given the significant journey time and environmental benefits rail offers. Industry figures indicate emissions by international rail are significantly lower than the equivalent short-haul flight.
The Government fully supports the continued growth and expansion of our international rail links, such as the launch of a direct return service between London and Amsterdam last year, with the associated environmental benefits this will provide.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the British Transport Police on its investigation into the death of Belly Mujinga.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the British Transport Police on their investigation into the death of Belly Mujinga at Victoria Station on 21 March 2020. The investigation is an operational matter for BTP.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the British Transport Police on releasing the CCTV footage of the assault of Belly Mujinga at Victoria Station on 21 March 2020.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the British Transport Police on releasing the CCTV footage of the alleged assault of Belly Mujinga at Victoria Station on 21 March 2020.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the (a) British Transport Police and (b) Crown Prosecution service on the decision by the British Transport Police not to refer the alleged assault of Belly Mujinga at Victoria Station on 21 March 2020 to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with either (a) the British Transport Police or (b) the Crown Prosecution Service on the alleged assault of Belly Mujinga at Victoria Station on 21 March 2020. The decision on whether to progress the case is one for BTP.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the number of people who qualify to continue driving while waiting for the DVLA to process their application for renewal of their driving licence under Section 88 of The Road Traffic Act 1988 but cannot obtain car insurance coverage due to that situation.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
No figures are available on the number of drivers who continue to drive under the Section 88 provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This is because drivers must consider whether they can meet the relevant criteria.
Insurance cover in these circumstances would be a matter for the driver and their insurer.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the cycle to work scheme to self-employed people as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
No assessment of the potential merits of extending the cycle to work scheme to self-employed people has been made at this point.
On the 9th May the Government announced a £2bn package of funding for cycling and walking. This includes £250m which will encourage cycling to work through the provision of pop up bike lanes with protected space for cycling, as well as vouchers for cycle repairs and greater provision for bike fixing facilities. This builds on the refreshed Cycle to Work Scheme Guidance published in 2019 which made it easier for employers to provide bicycles and equipment including e-bikes and adapted bikes worth over £1,000.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of of 18 May 2020 to Question 46711 on Driving Tests: Coronavirus, whether he plans refund people if their driving theory test certificate expires while they are unable to undertake their practical driving test due to restrictions during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The two-year validity period of the theory test certificate is set in legislation. This is so the candidate’s theoretical knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards remains current. To extend the validity period would require legislative change.
Candidates who have had their practical driving test suspended as a result of COVID-19 will receive an email from the DVSA telling them the date of their rescheduled test. The test will be rescheduled automatically, and free of charge. The candidate can, if they prefer, request a refund of their practical test fee.