Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with motor vehicle insurance companies on reducing the number of uninsured drivers.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Officials in my Department have regular contact with the insurance industry to discuss measures to reduce uninsured driving.
I last met with representatives from the insurance industry in January to discuss a range of issues related to motor insurance including measures which can reduce the cost of insurance and thereby reduce the incentive to drive without insurance.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the operational performance of the Office for Rail and Road.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Government is constantly looking to ensure the most effective regulatory regime is in place so that the railway delivers for its customers.
This has included, most recently, a review of the roles and responsibilities of the Office of the Rail and Road. The outcomes of this were announced to the House on 17 March.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made representations to Sanef Tolling about the length of time taken between a penalty notice being issued under the Dart Charge scheme and the date of the offence.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Both my Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State and I have held meetings with and written to Sanef during the opening year of the service, concerning performance issues and the timely issuing of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). Highways England worked with Sanef to improve performance and currently the majority of PCNs are now being issued between 5 and 15 days of the contravention taking place.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average time was between a penalty notice being issued under the Dart Charge scheme and the date of the offence in each month since the start of that scheme.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The data sought is not held in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. A sample analysis of data available shows that currently the majority of Penalty Charge Notices are issued between 5 and 15 days of the contravention.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward proposals to prevent Dart Charge payments made by drivers of leased vehicles being registered to previous drivers of the same vehicle who have not paid that charge.
Answered by Andrew Jones
All drivers have until midnight the day after crossing to pay the road user charge. This extended time period, which provides flexibility for the majority of users, makes it more complex to match payments for a crossing made by a previous hirer of the same vehicle. Highways England and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association are working together to assess what more can be done to assist the small number of companies and their customers who may be affected by this.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward proposals to prevent vehicle lease or hire companies receiving fines for non-payment of the Dart Charge in place of the driver of the vehicle.
Answered by Andrew Jones
As required by legislation, Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle, which can be lease and hire companies. Lease and hire companies are then able to transfer the liability for the PCN to the vehicle’s driver at the time the contravention occurred by providing Highways England with the relevant details.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the current length of time is between a penalty notice being issued under the Dart Charge scheme and the date of the offence.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The majority of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are currently issued between 5 and 15 days from the time of contravention (midnight the day after crossing).
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) salary, (b) bonus and (c) pension arrangements are of the current interim Chief Executive of the Office for Rail and Road.
Answered by Claire Perry
The interim Chief Executive of the Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) full time equivalent salary is £140,000 (prorated for part-time working), which will be subject to an annual review effective from 1 April 2016. The review will be conducted by ORR’s statutory Board, and subject to the annual guidance issued by the Cabinet Office concerning Senior Civil Service pay.
There are no contractual bonus arrangements. However, the Chief Executive, along with other senior civil servants at ORR, may be considered for a non-consolidated performance related payment in respect of their annual performance. Allocation of these awards at ORR is a matter for the ORR Board, subject to the guidance and constraints set out annually by the Cabinet Office for the whole of the Senior Civil Service.
The Chief Executive is a member of the Civil Service pension arrangements managed by My Civil Service Pension.
As required under statute, the terms and conditions of the Chief Executive’s appointment were approved by the Treasury in December 2015.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government has made representations to the Chinese government to secure Chinese investment in transport infrastructure in Britain.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The UK and China governments seek to encourage companies in both countries to deepen co-operation and participation in high speed rail projects. In preparation for the letting of contracts relating to HS2, there have been some official-level contacts by the Department for Transport with companies in China, as there have with companies in other jurisdictions. The HS2 programme will continue to provide a great opportunity for businesses across the UK and, with this Government also funding the biggest rail modernisation since Victorian times, and the most extensive improvements to roads since the 1970s, there are a wide range of opportunities for people and businesses across the UK.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what savings have been made as a result of the seven-year contract awarded to the Post Office by the DVLA on 1 April 2013 in each financial year.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency saved £18.5m in 2013-14 and £17.0m in 2014-15 as a result of its contract with Post Office Ltd.