Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on the roll-out of GPS technology at aerodromes.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government has regular discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority concerning the progress of airspace modernisation, and these have included updates on airspace change proposals designed to implement Global Satellite Navigation System approaches at aerodromes.
Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps are being taken to ensure that pilot training is being adapted to incorporate (a) GPS approaches and (b) other new technologies.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Global Navigation Satellite System approaches are one element of performance based navigation (PBN). An amendment to EU Regulation 1178/2011 (the Aircrew Regulation), which came into force in 2018, provides that pilots may only fly in accordance with PBN procedures if they hold an instrument rating with PBN privileges. The Aircrew Regulation establishes the training required to obtain PBN privileges. From 25 August 2020, all applicants for an instrument rating will be required to have undertaken PBN training.
Training requirements will be reviewed as and when the carriage and use of other new technologies are mandated. In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority is continuing to engage with the European Aviation Safety Agency to expand training on the use of satellite based technology to help reduce airspace infringements.
Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of reducing the daily rate of interest charged by the Legal Aid Agency to individuals who owe that Agency money.
Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Where legally aided clients successfully gain or retain an asset as a result of the publicly funded legal assistance they receive, they should repay the cost of their legal aid.
The rate in the statutory charge is currently set at 8%, the same as the Judgment Debt Interest Rate. It was reviewed in 2008/09.
Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has plans to ensure the Legal Aid Agency provides individuals with annual statements of the amount they owe to the Agency.
Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Annual statements are produced for all individuals who owe a debt to the Legal Aid Agency which is secured by way of the statutory charge.
Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with GTR on the feasibility of 4 trains per hour stopping at every station along the Moorgate to Welwyn Garden City line.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Following my meeting with my Rt hon. Friend earlier this year, I wrote to Patrick Verwer, Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR’s) Chief Executive, to raise this issue with him. We would support an increase in off-peak calls along the Welwyn Garden City to Moorgate line, if they can be implemented with no cost and with no detriment to the reliability and punctuality of service across the wider network. This change is dependent on the capabilities of the Class 717 rolling stock, which GTR will be able to assess once it has been fully established in regular service. Once this assessment is complete, GTR will reconsider whether the increase in calls can be implemented with no performance or financial cost.
Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal independence payment claimants lost their enhanced mobility rate in the last two years after previously receiving indefinite or lifetime awards.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the merits of extending Oyster and contactless payments to bus services across Hertfordshire.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The bus market outside London is deregulated with the majority of services provided on a commercial basis by private sector bus operators. Smart ticketing is an important element of making buses more attractive and the bus industry has been rolling out smart ticketing and contactless payments on buses in many areas for a number of years. Currently over 60% of buses accept contactless payments. Contactless payment is just one part of the bus user’s experience, and we are taking forward measures to help make bus travel more attractive. I recently announced all operators of local bus services across England (with the exception of Section 19 and Section 22 permit holders) will be required to provide high quality, accurate and open data, including routes and timetables, fares and tickets and location data, from 7 January 2020.
Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with his EU counterpart on the VAT status of aircraft imported into UK territories but remain in EU member states after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Department for Exiting the European Union has had no discussions with EU counterparts on the VAT status of aircraft imported into UK territories as this is not a part of our EU Exit remit.
The responsibility for VAT policy rests with Her Majesty’s Treasury.
Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with officials in the EU on the VAT status of aircraft imported into UK territories but remain in EU member states after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Treasury Ministers meet regularly with EU counterparts to discuss a wide range of issues.
The free movement of aircraft being used as a means of transport is guaranteed by the Chicago Convention. This allows aircraft to land and take off at airports all over the world without the inconvenience of paying and reclaiming customs duties each time a trip is made. This will continue after the UK exits the EU.
VAT is charged on the sale or import of aircraft at two rates – either 20 % or 0%. The rate applied is dependent on how the aircraft is used. Details of which rate is applicable is available on the government website GOV.UK.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal imports from the EU will be charged VAT in line with the rules currently applicable to imports from outside the EU. However where the aircraft belong to a person or company established outside the UK they can stay in the UK for at least 6 months using temporary admission. Where the aircraft belongs to a person/company established in the UK the person may be eligible for returned goods relief which allows UK companies and persons to re-import their items into the UK without payment of VAT as long as they fulfil the conditions given in HMRC guidance.
Asked by: Grant Shapps (Conservative - Welwyn Hatfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has plans to charge VAT on aircraft imported into other EU states but remain in the UK after the UK has left the EU.
Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Treasury Ministers meet regularly with EU counterparts to discuss a wide range of issues.
The free movement of aircraft being used as a means of transport is guaranteed by the Chicago Convention. This allows aircraft to land and take off at airports all over the world without the inconvenience of paying and reclaiming customs duties each time a trip is made. This will continue after the UK exits the EU.
VAT is charged on the sale or import of aircraft at two rates – either 20 % or 0%. The rate applied is dependent on how the aircraft is used. Details of which rate is applicable is available on the government website GOV.UK.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal imports from the EU will be charged VAT in line with the rules currently applicable to imports from outside the EU. However where the aircraft belong to a person or company established outside the UK they can stay in the UK for at least 6 months using temporary admission. Where the aircraft belongs to a person/company established in the UK the person may be eligible for returned goods relief which allows UK companies and persons to re-import their items into the UK without payment of VAT as long as they fulfil the conditions given in HMRC guidance.