Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Kane Excerpts

Thursday 10th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)]

7. What discussions she has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on maritime safety breaches which occur outside UK territorial waters but within the exclusive economic zone.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mike Kane)]

The Secretary of State has met the chief executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and this matter was discussed. The MCA will continue to monitor this important issue, as well as follow up on the actions already taken since the Westminster Hall debate on maritime safety last April.

[Mr Carmichael]

If we continue to see this as a matter of legality, nothing will ever change, and certainly not in any decent timeframe. We have to focus on what we can do practically to end the sort of attacks that trawlers from Shetland, such as the Alison Kay and Defiant, have been subject to in recent years. Will the Minister look at the experience of authorities in Ireland, who have managed to tackle the reckless conduct of trawlers like the Pesorsa Dos and keep their fishermen safe?

[Mike Kane]

I will undertake to look at the authorities in Ireland. I had a recent visit to the Orkney Islands in the right hon. Member’s constituency. I would wish to catch up with him about that and I am happy to meet him to discuss this matter further.

[Catherine Atkinson (Derby North) (Lab)]

8. What recent progress has been made on the electrification of the midland main line.

--- Later in debate ---

[Andrew George (St Ives) (LD)]

9. If she will meet authorities in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to discuss transport needs in those areas.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mike Kane)]

The Government are working apace to improve transport provision throughout the country. We have already announced five strategic transport priorities to improve local transport performance and increase usage. Officials will continue to meet local transport authorities across the south-west to discuss their aspirations.

[Andrew George]

Following the points raised by the hon. Member for Truro and Falmouth (Jayne Kirkham), may I point out that a great many other challenges have been revealed since the general election? There are worries about expensive school transport and risk-free investment in Cornwall, and there are also worries on the Isles of Scilly, where we seek parity with Scotland and the English mainland in respect of lifeline links to the islands and, indeed, inter-island transport. It would be helpful if, as well as meeting the transport authorities, the Minister could meet local MPs, because these issues are becoming very serious indeed.

[Mike Kane]

All air and sea services are operated commercially, without public subsidy. The Department has provided support, particularly during the pandemic, but its officials are committed to regular engagement with the local council to see how we can improve travel provision on the islands.

[Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) (Lab)]

The Government’s bus reforms are welcome, but rural areas such as Cornwall have perhaps the poorest bus services in England, as well as less well developed partnerships than, say, urban Greater Manchester. What plans do the Government have to ensure that rural areas in England can benefit from better bus services, as cities certainly will following the Government’s reforms?

[Mike Kane]

My hon. Friend is an incredible campaigner on transport matters, not just in her constituency but across the country. It is true that rural communities face different challenges, but the Government’s better buses Bill will enable local authorities to take back control of our buses and improve services, where they wish to do so.

[Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab)]

10. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.

--- Later in debate ---

[Noah Law (St Austell and Newquay) (Lab)]

15. What steps she is taking to ensure the resilience of regional airports.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mike Kane)]

Although airports are responsible for their own resilience and financial plans, the Department continues to engage with the industry to ensure that operations are as resilient as possible. Furthermore, my officials are actively exploring opportunities for improving the resilience of the sector.

[Noah Law]

Aviation at Cornwall airport, Newquay, is under threat from increasing regulatory burdens, leading its owner, Cornwall council, to explore costly funding options that could put this aviation business on an even less stable footing, despite its clear benefit to the public good and the local economy. Will the Minister outline the steps being taken to ensure that there is an adequate strategy in place to support airports in meeting these increasing regulatory burdens?

[Mike Kane]

As my hon. Friend knows, the UK aviation market predominantly operates in the private sector, and regulatory costs are common to several industries. My Department is working with the aviation industry to understand the impact of these costs, and I am sure he will continue to champion the public service obligation route between Newquay and London, which enables more passengers to use Newquay airport.

[Graham Leadbitter (Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey) (SNP)]

18. Whether she has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on increasing capital investment in transport.

--- Later in debate ---

[Victoria Collins (Harpenden and Berkhamsted) (LD)]

Local people in Harpenden and Berkhamsted are already blighted by noise from Luton airport, and are highly concerned about the proposed expansion to almost double passenger capacity. What assessment has the Minister made of the compatibility of the expansion with the views of the Government’s own advisers, the Climate Change Committee?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mike Kane)]

Currently, Luton airport is part of a development consent order, on which I cannot comment as a Minister, but I would remind people that it is always important to balance noise and local economic activity.