Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what impact assessment his Department (a) has carried out or (b) is proposing on the potential effect of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposals for older UK passenger boats and their potential effect on UK tourism and loss of historic river routes.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) consulted upon an Impact Assessment (IA) during a public consultation which ran from 6 November 2018 to 29 January 2019. Consultees were invited to comment on the validity of the analysis in the IA and encouraged to provide information that would help to strengthen this. The IA is now being updated to reflect the range of further information provided through consultee feedback.
However, the process is ongoing and policy officials in the MCA are happy to discuss impacts with any interested parties and take onboard relevant evidence for the assessment.
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has (a) conducted or (b) plans to conduct an impact assessment on the effect of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposals for older Thames passenger boats on (i) tourism in London, (ii) the maintenance of skilled jobs, (iii) the night economy in London and (iv) employment in boatyards.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) consulted upon an Impact Assessment (IA) during a public consultation which ran from 6 November 2018 to 29 January 2019. Consultees were invited to comment on the validity of the analysis in the IA and encouraged to provide information that would help to strengthen this. The IA is now being updated to reflect the range of further information provided through consultee feedback.
However, the process is ongoing and policy officials in the MCA are happy to discuss impacts with any interested parties, and take onboard relevant evidence for the assessment.
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will review the adequacy of the laws and guidance relating to the netting of bird nesting sites.
Answered by Thérèse Coffey
I refer the Hon. Member to the reply given to the Rt. Hon. Member for Birkenhead, Frank Field, on 23 April 2019 to PQ 243353.
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that Hammersmith Bridge can safely reopen as soon as possible.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Maintenance on Hammersmith Bridge is the responsibility of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It is for the Council to determine their road maintenance programme.
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities work together in ensuring that key routes between council areas, such as bridges, remain safe and accessible to the public.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Local authorities are independent bodies. Section 108, Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000 (as amended by the Local Transport Act 2008) sets out that each local transport authority must (a) develop policies for the promotion and encouragement of safe, integrated, efficient and economic transport to, from and within their area, and (b) carry out their functions so as to implement those policies. The Act also defines transport as, among other things, the transport required to meet the needs of persons living or working in the authority’s area, or visiting or travelling through that area.
The Department collaborates closely with local authorities on a range of issues. However, in London, Transport for London is best placed to facilitate any additional coordination of transport issues between Boroughs that may be considered necessary.
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had discussions with representatives of Hammersmith and Fulham Council on their prioritising maintenance of repairs of Hammersmith Bridge; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Maintenance on Hammersmith Bridge is a matter for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It is for the Borough to determine their road maintenance priorities. Ministers have not held discussions with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham on this matter.
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 4 March 2019 from the hon. Member for Richmond Park on Hammersmith Bridge.
Answered by Jesse Norman
A response to the Hon Member’s letter about Hammersmith Bridge was sent to his office on 10 April.
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the terms of reference for the Dasgupta Review on the economics of biodiversity.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The government intends to publish the terms of reference for the Review on the Economics of Biodiversity in due course.
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Dasgupta Review on the economics of biodiversity will be formally established.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
At the recent Spring Statement, the government announced that it will launch a comprehensive global review of the link between biodiversity and economic growth, to be led by Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta. The review will be formally established in the coming months after work to finalise the details has been completed.
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether caring responsibilities for grandchildren constitutes unpaid work for the purposes of Visit Visa applications under the Home Office Immigration Rules Appendix V (V4.2-4.10).
Answered by Caroline Nokes
The Visit Guidance makes clear that where a family member is coming to look after a child in the UK, this is permitted provided it is for a short visit and does not amount to the relative being employed as a childminder. The decision maker must be satisfied that the visit is of a short duration, the relative is a genuine visitor and will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits.