Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support those who are at higher risk from COVID-19 and may not be entitled to a refund for a booked holiday that they wish to cancel on health grounds.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Consumers who are shielding due to underlying health conditions should discuss options for a refund or a credit note with their travel provider, or consider a claim through their travel insurance. Government have urged businesses to act fairly in this unprecedented situation. The CAA as the regulator actively monitors airline performance on protecting consumer rights and takes appropriate action where that is not satisfactory.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that vessels from the Republic of Ireland have access to the port of (1) Fishguard, and (2) Holyhead, following the end of the transition period.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Vessels will continue to be able to sail between the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain, or on any other shipping route, after the end of the transition period. No additional steps need to be taken and vessels will therefore continue to have access to the ports of Fishguard and Holyhead as currently.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many extra (1) trucks, and (2) other vehicles, they estimate will be using the A55 from Holyhead after 31 December.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department has not made such estimates, and in any case, roads are a devolved matter. Changes in traffic volumes on the road network in Wales (including on the A55) is a matter for the Welsh Government.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of questions for written answer tabled by members of the House of Lords that have not been answered within the required timeframe; and why those questions have not yet received an answer.
Answered by Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
As of 30th July, there have been 7,372 QWAs tabled this session in comparison, a total of 6,266 QWAs were tabled in the whole of 2019. All departments have been working extremely hard in difficult and unprecedented circumstances. My office is in regular contact with departments about late responses. Additionally, I remind my ministerial colleagues of the need to provide timely answers to written questions and have received assurances that any backlogs are being worked through.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what agreement they have reached, if any, with the EU to resolve regulatory differences with regard to driving hours for truck drivers travelling from mainland Europe to the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Commercial road vehicles in use on UK roads are expected to meet roadworthiness standards, be suitably loaded and have their drivers’ hours controlled to ensure road safety standards are maintained. We will continue to enforce these standards in a non-discriminatory way with regard to UK/non-UK operators and expect that European Union Member States will continue to act in a similar manner. Discussions are continuing towards a future UK/EU free trade agreement, including international commercial road transport.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what agreement they have reached, if any, with the EU to resolve regulatory differences with regard to overloading of vehicles for truck drivers travelling from mainland Europe to the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Commercial road vehicles in use on UK roads are expected to meet roadworthiness standards, be suitably loaded and have their drivers’ hours controlled to ensure road safety standards are maintained. We will continue to enforce these standards in a non-discriminatory way with regard to UK/non-UK operators and expect that European Union Member States will continue to act in a similar manner. Discussions are continuing towards a future UK/EU free trade agreement, including international commercial road transport.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what agreement they have reached, if any, with the EU to resolve regulatory differences with regard to vehicle roadworthiness for truck drivers travelling from mainland Europe to the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Commercial road vehicles in use on UK roads are expected to meet roadworthiness standards, be suitably loaded and have their drivers’ hours controlled to ensure road safety standards are maintained. We will continue to enforce these standards in a non-discriminatory way with regard to UK/non-UK operators and expect that European Union Member States will continue to act in a similar manner. Discussions are continuing towards a future UK/EU free trade agreement, including international commercial road transport.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) the Welsh Government, (2) the Isle of Anglesey County Council, and (3) any other organisations, about the future of (a) Irish Sea crossings, and (b) access to the EU, from the port of Holyhead.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
There has been, and there will continue to be, frequent liaison between Government Departments, the Welsh Government and other interested parties regarding access to Ireland and access to other EU Member States.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of the companies contracted to provide ferries in the event of a no deal Brexit to deliver necessary freight services; and what assurances they have sought from those companies.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Department had reviewed the plans of each company with the support of external advisers. On that basis, supported by contractual assurances, we are satisfied that the three companies concerned have the capacity to deliver these services. They will not be paid if services cannot be delivered.
More information is available in my Written Statement of 7 January (HLWS 1200) which can be viewed at the link below.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of providing extra ferries to run a freight service in the event of a no deal Brexit.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
This information was provided in the Secretary of State's Written Statement of 7 January, which can be found at the link below.