Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to (1) introduce, and (2) enforce, tougher environmental standards, such as mandatory insurance cover and compliance with International Maritime Organisation heavy fuel standards, for oil tankers entering UK territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The government has implemented, and enforces, a variety of mandatory environmental measures related to the use and carriage of oil, including heavy fuel oil, by sea. International standards are primarily set out in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), to which the UK is a signatory. Annex I of MARPOL makes provision for the prevention of pollution by oil from ships and includes mandatory requirements such as construction standards of oil tankers, limitations on size and arrangement of cargo tanks, damage stability requirements and a robust survey and certification regime. Compliance with these requirements is enforced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) through surveys of UK registered ships and Port State Control inspections of non-UK ships when in UK ports. Non-compliance is managed through the detention of ships, prohibition notices and, where necessary, prosecution.
With regard to insurance, within certain tonnage limitations, UK ships and ships coming to or from the UK must have certificates to prove that they have the relevant compulsory civil liability insurance against oil pollution and liability insurance for the locating, marking and removing of wrecks in the event that the ship causes a pollution incident or is wrecked. Insurers must meet the UK’s criteria to provide appropriate cover and be approved by the MCA before a compulsory insurance certificate can be issued.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of human resources and staff issues affecting the air traffic control provider at Gatwick Airport.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The provision of tower services at UK airports operates in a commercial market, with contractual agreements in place between the provider of air traffic control services and the airport concerned.
Neither the Government nor the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has regulatory oversight of these commercial arrangements which are agreed between private businesses.
My officials and the CAA will, however, continue to engage with Gatwick airport and airlines wherever issues arise, which could impact services.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the environmental risks posed by ageing and poorly maintained vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet, particularly those using high sulphur fuels in UK territorial waters and the Strait of Dover.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The UK is working to deter and disrupt the Russian shadow fleet. At the European Political Community Summit in July, we led efforts to ask European partners to sign a Call for Action that seeks to address the risks that the shadow fleet poses to maritime safety and security, and, crucially, the environment.
The Department for Transport takes robust measures to ensure all sea vessels in UK territorial waters, including the Strait of Dover, comply with environmental law.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 9 April (HL3635), and following the 8 May ministerial roundtable, whether the Department for Transport plans to publish a timeline for plans to review moped and motorcycle licensing.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
Following the roundtable on 8 May with stakeholders, Ministers will consider advice on this matter and others in due course. In addition, the Department looks forward to receiving the evidence from the Motorcycle Industry Association which was used to develop its L-Category licensing reform proposals.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 9 April (HL3635), whether the Department for Transport will request the Motorcycle Strategic Focus Group to investigate powered light vehicle licensing.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
Following the roundtable on 8 May with stakeholders, Ministers will consider advice on this matter and others in due course. In addition, the Department looks forward to receiving the evidence from the Motorcycle Industry Association which was used to develop its L-Category licensing reform proposals.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Department for Transport is planning to (1) conduct research, and (2) publish results, on the viability of the Motorcycle Industry Association’s L-Category licensing reform proposals.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
Following the roundtable on 8 May with stakeholders, Ministers will consider advice on this matter and others in due course. In addition, the Department looks forward to receiving the evidence from the Motorcycle Industry Association which was used to develop its L-Category licensing reform proposals.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) on 18 March (17105), what discussions have taken place between the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency regarding the Motorcycle Industry Association’s 'A Licence to Net Zero' campaign.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is committed to reviewing all aspects of motorcycle training and testing. It is working with key industry representatives, including the Motorcycle Industry Association, to plan the next roundtable meeting scheduled for 8 May 2024. The roundtable meeting will explore reforms to motorcycle training and testing, and licensing for L category vehicles as set out in the ‘A Net Licence to Zero’ action plan.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) on 18 March (HC17308), whether the 8 May round table will discuss (1) the timeline for implementation of L-Category licence reform or (2) the parliamentary process for L-Category licensing.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
We are continuing to review these proposals, and will respond in due course. They will be covered at the proposed meeting.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) on 18 March (HC17308), whether they will publish a response to the Motorcycle Industry Association's "A Net Licence to Zero" proposals ahead of the scheduled roundtable.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
We are continuing to review these proposals, and will respond in due course. They will be covered at the proposed meeting.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) on 12 February (12929), when they will publish the chapter on zero emission powered light vehicles for the Local Authority Transport Decarbonisation Toolkit.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
The guidance for Local Authorities on zero emission powered light vehicles is being finalised and is expected to be published shortly.