Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a legislative control framework before implementing the Future of Flight Action Plan.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We already have a regulatory framework for drones and eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing). Key legislation includes Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 on common rules in the field of civil aviation, Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft, the Air Navigation Order 2016 and the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021.
The Action Plan outlines activities to identify and develop any further regulation as needed.
Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cause of the fire at Terminal 2 of Luton Airport on 10 October 2023; and whether the cause has been established to be a diesel or an electric car.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A joint investigation by Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has concluded, indicating that the fire started accidentally, with the most likely cause being an electrical fault or component failure that originated in the engine bay of a diesel vehicle while it was in motion.
Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks of the NHS using drone delivery supplies in the context of ever busier airspace and a lack of collision avoidance technology.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulate the use of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (drones) to ensure the increased use of drones remains safe and secure for all airspace users. The CAA will approve any drone operations for NHS deliveries based on a safety case, in line with their Operational Risk Assessment.
Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to encourage or support merchant nuclear shipping.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution announced the Advanced Nuclear Fund of up to £385 million to invest in the next generation of nuclear technologies. This includes up to £215 million for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to develop a domestic smaller-scale power plant technology design, and up to £170 million for a research and development programme to deliver an Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) demonstration by the early 2030s. In the Net Zero Strategy the Government announced up to £120 million for a new Future Nuclear Enabling Fund to provide targeted support to address barriers to entry.
Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Mayor of London about his suspension of the requirement for private hire drivers to pass an English language proficiency exam.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Whilst the Government issues guidance to assist local authorities, taxi licensing in London is a matter for the Mayor of London.
Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to their policy that by 2030 at least 10 per cent of jet fuel used for commercial flights by UK airlines should be sustainable aviation fuel, what actions they are taking to ensure that such fuel is manufactured in the UK.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
To ensure we have a resilient sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply system, the Government wants to see a balance of domestic production, imports and exports. Therefore, the SAF mandate will not differentiate between SAF made in the UK and that made overseas.
However, we recognise that SAF delivers wider benefits when produced domestically, by providing fuel security, potentially supporting up to 5,200 UK jobs by 2035 and a further 13,600 through global exports, and supporting economic growth.
Therefore, we are kickstarting a domestic SAF industry by allocating over £135m for UK SAF production facilities through the Advanced Fuels Fund and committing to design and implement a revenue certainty mechanism to support investment in SAF production.
Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to investigate, in conjunction with aviation regulators, allegations by Ryanair that a UK-registered company had marketed thousands of engine parts with faked certification documents for Airbus and Boeing models, and what assessment they have made of the implications for air travel safety.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This issue is subject to ongoing investigation. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is leading on investigating and addressing the UK aviation safety risks, which are currently deemed to be low.
Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what has happened to “the Great British Railways” app that was announced in 2021 which was to be issued by the Rail Delivery Group with the objective of making online purchases of tickets easier.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
As set out in the Plan for Rail, we recognise that the current multitude of train company websites with different standards of service is confusing to passengers. We are continuing to review the best way to address this and are working closely with the rail sector to do this.
We want to see a more competitive retail market and will break down the systems and structural barriers to entry so it is easier to enter the market to sell rail tickets.
Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the Rail Delivery Group regarding how ticket services not available on ticket vending machines, such as refunds and season ticket changes will be handled.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
We recognise there are a wide range of fares and tickets offered to passengers, and that not all products are offered consistently online or at ticket vending machines. However, an estimated 99% of all transactions made at ticket offices last year could be made at TVMs or online.
The rail industry is looking to expand digital ticketing options and make them even easier for passengers to use through upgrades to ticket vending machines and digitisation of more tickets and processes.
When proposing major changes to ticket office opening hours, including closures, operators are required to take into account the adequacy of the proposed alternatives in relation to the needs of all passengers. This includes ensuring that passengers can easily buy the right ticket for the journey they want to make, with consideration of the product range available at the station and what support is available to help with purchase.
Passengers will not be expected to travel out of their way to buy a ticket and will be able to buy en-route or at their destination.
Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to return smart motorways to ordinary motorways in the interests of safety.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
On 16 April, the Government announced that all plans for new smart motorways have been cancelled, recognising the lack of confidence felt by drivers and cost pressures. This means no new smart motorways will be built.
We are focused on investing £900m to add further safety improvements to existing smart motorways, including constructing 150 extra emergency areas – so that people can continue to get around easily and with increased confidence.