Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Highgate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) extending the expiry date of DVSA theory test certificates or (b) providing free re-takes for the DVSA theory test for individuals who have been unable to take their DVSA practical driving test as a result of the covid-19 restrictions.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a candidate’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.
Ensuring new drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the preparation of new drivers, who are disproportionality represented in casualty statistics. Taking all this into consideration, the decision has been made not to extend theory test certificates and learners will need to pass another theory test if their certificate expires.
A candidate whose theory test certificate expires will have received the service for which they paid the fee.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) pays its contractor, Pearson, per theory test delivered. If candidates were exempted from having to pay for a retake, then the DVSA and in turn the fee payer would incur these costs. In addition, applications for a re-test would need to be validated and systems amended to remove the requirement for payment in these cases. The DVSA’s focus should rightly be on developing solutions to address the backlog of practical driving tests that has arisen as a result of the pandemic.
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Highgate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the scientific advice for the decision to include practical driving tests in the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown restrictions in England.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has indicated there is an enhanced risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in enclosed spaces. Due to prolonged indoor contact between people of different households, there is a significant risk of transmission. The November restrictions do not allow people to leave their homes except for specified purposes, which include childcare, education, health appointments and essential activities.
On this basis, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has suspended practical driver testing for the duration of the national restrictions, except for frontline NHS workers.
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Highgate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to restore free tube and bus travel in London for people aged under 18.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
Currently people aged under 18 are eligible for free bus travel in London. The suspension of free travel for under 18s in London will help to reduce demand for public transport so that those who need to use it can do so safely.
The Department continues to work closely with Transport for London, The Department for Education, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and London Councils on implementation and will set out next steps in due course.
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Highgate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has conducted an economic impact assessment for families affected by proposed suspension of free under-18 tube and bus travel in London.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
Department officials are working with the Department for Education, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Transport for London and London Boroughs on the Equalities Impact Assessment which will be published in due course. Given the nature of this policy, the economic impact of it forms part of this assessment.
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Highgate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings he has had with representatives from the airline industry on the implications for that industry of changes to Government travel advice in response to covid-19.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Department for Transport is extensively engaged with the aviation sector in responding to COVID19 and implementing measures to minimise the spread of the disease. Additionally, work is underway across government to understand the wider impacts of COVID19 and the Secretary of State for Transport is regularly briefed on these.
The Secretary of State for Transport wrote to Air Carriers and Airports on 28th February. Both the Secretary of State and I are discussing COVID-19 and its implications for the aviation industry with aviation industry representatives during the course of this week.
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Highgate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 2 March to Question 18677 on High Speed 2 Railway Line, how many meetings his Department has held with representatives from (a) China Railway Construction Corporation Limited and (b) the Chinese Government on High Speed Two in the last year.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
In the last year DfT have held no meetings with any representatives from the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited or the Chinese Government in relation to High Speed Rail.
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Highgate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the recent cost projections of High Speed Two meet his Department’s benefit-cost ratio guidelines.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The forthcoming cost-benefit analysis which will inform the HS2 Phase One Full Business Case will include the recent cost projections for the project. These costs are used within the economic case and align with the department’s Transport Analysis Guidance, which will also be reflected within the Business Case.
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Highgate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has held with (a) representatives of Chinese companies and (b) the Chinese Government on the construction or operation of High Speed 2.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
There have been meetings with delegations from a number of countries including China over several years to discuss opportunities in the UK rail industry including HS2. The Department for Transport is always keen to learn from the experience of others and to consider bids through the proper procurement processes that offer value for money to the taxpayer.