Asked by: Caroline Nokes (Conservative - Romsey and Southampton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on a review of the Airports National Policy Statement.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
We do not comment on the details of discussions between Cabinet ministers.
We are still considering the Court of Appeal’s complex judgment. At this stage the Government will not be able to make any further comment beyond what was set out in the Written Statement on 27 February from the Secretary of State for Transport.
Asked by: Caroline Nokes (Conservative - Romsey and Southampton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2020 to Question 20541, for what reasons his Department has not yet published a review of the Airports National Policy Statement.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the designation of the Airports National Policy Statement has no legal effect unless and until this Government carries out a review.
It is a complex judgment which the Government will need time to consider carefully. At this stage the Government will not be able to make any further comment beyond what was set out in the Written Statement on 27 February from the Secretary of State for Transport.
Asked by: Caroline Nokes (Conservative - Romsey and Southampton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with airlines on taking on routes previously served by Flybe from Southampton Airport.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
Departmental officials and I have been working closely with airports and airlines to encourage them to act quickly to fill routes which are vital for local communities and businesses, including those from Southampton Airport. A number of airlines, including Loganair and Eastern Airways, will now take on routes previously served by Flybe at Southampton Airport.
Asked by: Caroline Nokes (Conservative - Romsey and Southampton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what protections there are for drivers whose licences are revoked on medical grounds where the medical information used was demonstrably incorrect.
Answered by George Freeman
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is responsible for ensuring that only those who meet the required medical standards are issued with a driving licence.
The DVLA considers all available medical evidence before making a decision. If a driving licence is revoked based on the medical information, the DVLA will always consider any further information that subsequently becomes available. If this demonstrates that the required medical standards can be met, the DVLA will investigate and, where appropriate, reinstate the driving entitlement. Drivers whose licences are revoked on medical grounds also have the right to appeal through the courts should they wish to do so.