Asked by: Mary Robinson (Conservative - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for Greater Manchester to receive the powers set out in the Buses Act 2017.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Bus Services Act 2017 received Royal Assent on 27th April, and the majority of the provisions in the Act commenced on 27th June. Greater Manchester Combined Authority therefore now have access to the franchising and partnership powers set out in the Act.
Asked by: Mary Robinson (Conservative - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what provisions are available to local authorities for extending the eligibility criteria for the Blue Badge scheme to people with severe physical disabilities who are not automatically eligible.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Local authorities do not have powers to independently extend eligibility. The criteria are set by statutory instrument. The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000 (as amended) contain a number of criteria covering those who do not qualify automatically, including a provision for any permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking. It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess whether applicants meet any of the criteria.
People with autism are not excluded from being issued a badge. Any permanent and substantial disability that causes very considerable difficulty walking falls within the criteria. It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess the degree of difficulty and to issue badges accordingly. We have no plans to provide badges to carers.
Asked by: Mary Robinson (Conservative - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department plans to take steps to extend eligibility for the Blue Badge scheme to the parents of children with autism.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Local authorities do not have powers to independently extend eligibility. The criteria are set by statutory instrument. The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000 (as amended) contain a number of criteria covering those who do not qualify automatically, including a provision for any permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking. It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess whether applicants meet any of the criteria.
People with autism are not excluded from being issued a badge. Any permanent and substantial disability that causes very considerable difficulty walking falls within the criteria. It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess the degree of difficulty and to issue badges accordingly. We have no plans to provide badges to carers.
Asked by: Mary Robinson (Conservative - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many of the recommendations of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in its report on the accident to Boeing 737-236 series 1, G-BGJC at Manchester International Airport on 22 August 1985 have been implemented.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Of the 31 recommendations, 28 have been implemented and another has been partially implemented.