Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help deliver the National Cyber Strategy 2022 commitment to a Connected and Automated Vehicles Process for Assuring Safety and Security.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) is leading the CAVPASS programme which is developing and putting in place all the elements required to ensure safety and cyber resilience of self-driving vehicles on GB roads. By 2025 the full scheme will be in place that will cover all vehicle types.
Within CAVPASS, there is a specific workstream dealing with Cyber that has direct input from DfT’s cyber security experts and from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). CAVPASS commissions both R&D projects on Cyber and practical trials to test out solutions and enhance learning, for example using the Angoka cyber solutions as featured in the National Cyber Strategy document.
CAVPASS is working with industry to ensure internationally agreed regulations relating to cyber are implemented appropriately, including UNECE regulation 155 (Cyber Security and Cyber Security Management Systems) and regulation 157 (Software updates and software updates management systems).
CAVPASS also focuses on improving cyber skills within the motoring agencies that will ultimately have responsibility for implementing the new approval scheme, with a number of staff in the Vehicle Certification Agency already having gone through specific cyber training.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has of the scale of (a) backlogs and (b) processing delays within the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to make an application. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their documents within a few days. However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application and the DVLA receives 60,000 items of mail every day. The latest information on turnaround times for paper applications can be found here.
The DVLA has introduced additional online services, recruited more staff, increased overtime working and has secured extra office space in Swansea and Birmingham to help reduce waiting times while providing future resilience and business continuity.
These measures are having a positive impact. In particular, the focus on vocational driving licence applications to support dealing with the HGV driver shortage has been successful with routine vocational applications now back to normal turnaround times. Backlogs are also reducing in other areas.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the 101 restriction on D1 licences can be provisionally removed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The restriction code 101 on driving licences is a long-standing legal requirement which is applied where the category B (car) driving test was taken before 1 January 1997. The code allows these drivers to drive minibuses up to 16 seats, if not being driven for hire or reward. Drivers who want to drive minibuses on a professional basis are required to take the relevant driving test (category D1) and meet the higher health requirements that apply to the issuing of licences to drive larger vehicles.
There is a provision which allows non-profit-making organisations to employ drivers with a car licence to provide minibus transport for their own members or for the local community. Further information is available on GOV.UK here.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the removal of restriction 101 on D1 licences in relation to tackling driver shortages.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
I am not aware of any discussions with stakeholders over this issue. The restriction is in place to ensure professional drivers meet the higher standards required of those who drive for a living.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the 101 restriction on D1 licences prohibits qualified minibus drivers from driving in a paid capacity.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The 101 “not for hire or reward” restriction code on a driving licence shows the driver has acquired rights to drive minibuses but has not passed the test to drive professionally. These drivers have not undergone a medical examination or passed all the theory and practical tests required to be a professional driver.
Ensuring professional drivers have the right licence, and skills to drive their vehicles, and that they are medically fit to do so, is key to maintaining road safety.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme is capped; and what assessment he has made of the effect of that cap on larger airports.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme intends to allow commercial airports and ground handlers operating at airports in England to be able to apply for support to the equivalent of their site’s business rates liabilities or their COVID-19 losses – whichever is lower – up to a cap of £8m, if they meet the qualifying criteria and conditions.
The cap strikes an appropriate balance between supporting airports in financial distress while protecting the interests of the taxpayer.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that social distancing measures are implemented in aviation travel.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
In line with the Prime Minister’s announcement in relation to the next phase of the pandemic, the Department for Transport is looking to introduce new measures specific to the aviation sector as part of the Government’s overall efforts.
Further, the Department is working closely with the aviation sector to co-produce agreed common standards on health measures that could be deployed throughout the aviation customer journey. These measures will help to restart the sector and provide passengers and staff with the confidence they need to start flying again. The Department is working internationally to aim to ensure any UK measures are recognised globally given the international nature of the sector.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure travel operators are providing cash refunds for cancelled (a) flights and (b) package holidays.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Government recognises the challenges businesses and consumers are experiencing regarding refunds for cancelled holidays and flights. Airlines are working hard to answer the high call volumes and to process the very large number of applications for refunds.
We appreciate the frustration consumers may be experiencing. We are clear that refunds must be paid when asked for by the consumer. The Department for Transport is in regular conversation with UK airlines and wider membership bodies. The department is working closely with the sector, the regulator and consumer groups to help ensure airlines deliver on their commitments.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Heathrow Airport Ltd’s Initial Business Plan, published in December 2019, committing funding to new rail links to that airport, if the Government will confirm (a) funding from the public purse to and (b) approve the Western Rail Link to Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Grant Shapps - Secretary of State for Defence
It is helpful that Heathrow Airport has been clear in its Initial Business Plan that it sees the Western Rail Link being delivered in all scenarios. Government has always been clear that its support for the development of the scheme is subject to the successful agreement of terms with the Heathrow Aviation industry.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timescales are for the progress of rail access projects to Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Grant Shapps - Secretary of State for Defence
Network Rail is finalising work on the Western Rail Link to Heathrow (WRLtH) Development Consent Order and will be prepared to submit to the Planning Inspectorate following the agreement of terms between the Government and the Heathrow Aviation industry on an appropriate financial contribution to the project. Network Rail has been advised to expect to submit the application for Development Consent no later than summer 2020, which will mark the next major milestone for the project.
On Southern Access to Heathrow (SAtH), my Department has been working to develop an appropriate ‘market involved’ commercial model. Following Ministerial approval and alignment to the upcoming HM Treasury Infrastructure Finance Review, the Department intends to provide further guidance regarding the commercial approach later this year.