Asked by: Baroness Crawley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that upcoming autonomous vehicle trials prioritise public safety and inclusive design practices, including engagement with disabled people and other underrepresented groups, and whether they have consulted with safety bodies such as the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents about those trials.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Government announced in June fast-tracking the Automated Passenger Services Permitting Scheme to Spring 2026. This enables organisations to move beyond existing trialling and demonstrate the capability of their technology as passenger services.
Self-driving services provide an opportunity to enhance transport for older and disabled people. The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 requires that the Secretary of State considers to what extent the granting of a permit is likely to improve understanding of how these services should be designed for, and delivered to, older and disabled people. Permit holders are required to report on the steps taken to meet the needs and requirements of older and disabled people.
The Department is continuing to build an evidence base to better understand the opportunities that exist to enable innovative approaches in providing accessibility. A consultation on the proposed Automated Passenger Services permitting scheme is open until 28 September. We have also recently closed a call for evidence on our Statement of Safety Principles, through which the Department has gathered evidence, including from safety bodies, to support the setting of safety standards for autonomous vehicles.
Asked by: Baroness Crawley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Khan of Burnley on 16 October 2024 (HL1196), what plans they have to provide the finances for a Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to those of a Muslim faith who gave their lives in two World Wars, as announced in the March 2024 Budget.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are absolutely committed to remembering the vital contribution made by Muslim soldiers who fought incredibly bravely throughout the World Wars in the British Army and Allied Forces.
The Government are developing plans to provide funding of up to £1 million to build a fitting Muslim War Memorial and honour the lasting legacy of their vital contribution.
It is important that the Government considers a broad range of options for delivering the memorial and to inform our thinking, MHCLG ran a market engagement exercise earlier this year. The exercise was published on the Contracts Finder and Find a Grant portals. Responses have been evaluated and we are now developing plans for a competitive funding award process to be launched later this year.