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 operators of state-owned motorway service areas on their ability to access investment for (a) site improvements, (b) HGV parking facilities and (c) electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
In November 2018 and March 2019 ministers met all three operators who directly hold leasehold interests, MOTO, Welcome Break, and Roadchef, to seek their general views about the options on expiry of the current lease for the state-owned Motorway Service Area (MSA) sites. There has also been frequent engagement between the operators and officials regarding site improvements.
In September this year, Baroness Vere met Roadchef, to hear their current proposals for lease renewal. Topics discussed included the option of agreeing an extension to the lease well in advance of the earliest lease expiry dates in 2030, which would provide a longer tenure in which the operators could invest to modernise the ageing sites, including the upgrades to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, provision of additional HGV parking.
Ministers are considering which approach will secure best value for the taxpayer and enhance the experience for future road users and have requested that the operators work with officials to help understand how the timelines for each option could affect the timing of any investment.
In the March 2020 Budget, the Government announced the Rapid Charging Fund was announced as part of a £500 million commitment for EV charging infrastructure.
It will be available to fund a portion of costs at strategic sites across the strategic road network where upgrading connections to meet future demand for high powered chargepoints would be prohibitively expensive and uncommercial. Timing and process for delivery of this funding will be confirmed in due course.
The Government will be working with the operators of MSAs to ensure that charging provision is in place ahead of customer demand. The aim is to help support early adoption of electric vehicles and remove range anxiety concerns for drivers on long journeys.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to make a decision on whether to renew or extend the leases at state-owned motorway service areas with leases expiring in 2020-32.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
In November 2018 and March 2019 ministers met all three operators who directly hold leasehold interests, MOTO, Welcome Break, and Roadchef, to seek their general views about the options on expiry of the current lease for the state-owned Motorway Service Area (MSA) sites. There has also been frequent engagement between the operators and officials regarding site improvements.
In September this year, Baroness Vere met Roadchef, to hear their current proposals for lease renewal. Topics discussed included the option of agreeing an extension to the lease well in advance of the earliest lease expiry dates in 2030, which would provide a longer tenure in which the operators could invest to modernise the ageing sites, including the upgrades to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, provision of additional HGV parking.
Ministers are considering which approach will secure best value for the taxpayer and enhance the experience for future road users and have requested that the operators work with officials to help understand how the timelines for each option could affect the timing of any investment.
In the March 2020 Budget, the Government announced the Rapid Charging Fund was announced as part of a £500 million commitment for EV charging infrastructure.
It will be available to fund a portion of costs at strategic sites across the strategic road network where upgrading connections to meet future demand for high powered chargepoints would be prohibitively expensive and uncommercial. Timing and process for delivery of this funding will be confirmed in due course.
The Government will be working with the operators of MSAs to ensure that charging provision is in place ahead of customer demand. The aim is to help support early adoption of electric vehicles and remove range anxiety concerns for drivers on long journeys.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what meetings he has had with representatives of snooker organisations; and what the outcome was of those meetings.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston
I am having regular discussions with sector and industry bodies to understand the full impact of COVID-19 on sport and how the government can best provide support. This includes a fortnightly meeting with sporting organisations.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent meetings he has had with representatives of rowing organisations; and what the outcome was of those meetings.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston
I am having regular discussions with sector and industry bodies to understand the full impact of COVID-19 on sport and how the government can best provide support. This includes a fortnightly meeting with sporting organisations.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent meetings he has had with representatives of esports; and what the outcome was of those meetings.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
The government recognises the value of esports which has the potential to develop as an area of real national strength in the UK, building on our world-class video games, entertainment and sports sectors. Esports has also come to the fore during the Covid-19 lockdown, offering entertainment and a way to connect with others.
Ministers have met frequently with the creative industries, including meetings with the Creative Industries Council and weekly roundtable meetings during the current Covid-19 crisis which were attended by organisations such as UKIE that represent businesses in the esports sector. There has also been frequent discussion recently between officials and individual esports businesses and organisations.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent meetings he has had with representatives of darts organisations; and what the outcome was of those meetings.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston
I am having regular discussions with sector and industry bodies to understand the full impact of COVID-19 on sport and how the government can best provide support. This includes a fortnightly meeting with sporting organisations including national governing bodies.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what meetings he has had on the proposed purchase of Newcastle United Football Club by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund; what the outcome was of those meetings; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston
There have been no formal discussions on the potential sale of Newcastle United Football Club. Any such sale is a matter for the parties concerned, and for the Premier League to assess under its Owners’ and Directors’ Test.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent meetings Ministers of his Department have had with (a) representatives of British Transport Police and (b) the Home office on the British Transport Police; and what the outcome was of those meetings.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
There were conference telephone calls on Monday 4th May and Wednesday 6th May, between the Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris MP and Paul Crowther, the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police. No other Ministers have met with BTP representatives recently. There was also a phone conference between the Rail Minister and the Chair and Chief Executive of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) on Thursday 7th May.
There have not been any recent ministerial meetings with the Home Office regarding BTP.
Outcomes
At the 4th May meeting, the Minister and the Chief Constable agreed that BTP and the Department would continue to work closely together to manage the impacts of COVID-19 on the rail network. During the discussion on the 6th May, the Chief Constable was able to give an update on BTP’s activities and the Minister did likewise regarding work within the Department.
During the discussion between the Rail Minister and BTPA, the BTPA representatives provided an update on the Authority’s work in supporting BTP activity and agreed to keep the Minister updated regarding future developments.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the potential acquisition of Newcastle football club by Saudi Arabia, what discussions she has had with her Cabinet colleagues on the potential effect of internet piracy by state-sponsored pirate broadcasters such as beoutQ on the export value of the UK creative industry's intellectual property.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Officials in the Department for International Trade work closely with their counterparts in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Intellectual Property Office on matters relating to the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights around the world.
Government ministers and our Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have raised this matter with the Saudi Arabian government and will continue to make representations about any alleged broadcast infringement activities of UK IP.
We understand broadcasting piracy on satellite in Saudi Arabia, through the pirate operator beoutQ, has now stopped. This followed pressure by the UK, the US, European countries, and major sports rights holders.
We are aware that there are continued issues of infringement of UK-owned intellectual property rights across all industries through the use of IPTV apps, and we will work with the IPO to address these issues and work to protect UK intellectual property in all territories.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Ministers of his Department have had discussions with representatives of Uber since the 2019 General Election.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
Ministers meet regularly with the taxi and private hire vehicle sector to discuss a variety of issues. Details of ministers’ meetings with external organisations are published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dft-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings#2019