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Written Question
Diesel Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions
Monday 17th April 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to (a) prevent and (b) sanction car manufacturers who use defeat devices to provide misleading emissions data in diesel cars.

Answered by Jesse Norman

The Government is committed to reducing air pollution from all forms of transport, and this pollution has significantly fallen since 2010. Emissions of nitrogen oxides have fallen by 45% and emissions of PM2.5 by 10%.

The DVSA Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) conducts an annual emissions-testing programme to test vehicle emissions in the real world. Where MSU testing identifies non-compliant emissions, including suspicions of a prohibited defeat device, DVSA works with the manufacturer to implement improvement plans.

The results of the MSU annual emissions-testing programme are made publicly available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dvsa-vehicle-market-surveillance-unit.

In 2018 the Government strengthened restrictions against the use of illegal emissions technology by passing legislation making it an offence for manufacturers to place motor vehicles on the market which contain prohibited defeat systems. The Government will also bring forward legislation to enable it to require vehicles to be recalled on environmental grounds, as well as exploring other means to strengthen enforcement.

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) prohibit traders across all business sectors from engaging in unfair commercial practices in connection with the promotion, sale and supply of products to consumers. Trading Standards and the Competition and Markets Authority are responsible for enforcing these protections.

The Department has made no specific assessment of the impact of the case by the European Court of Justice judgement.


Written Question
Diesel Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions
Monday 17th April 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the report by the International Council on Clean Transportation entitled Reassessment of excess NOx from diesel cars in Europe following the Court of Justice of the European Union Rulings, published on 22 March 2023, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his consumer rights policies of that report's findings of suspicious levels of NOx emissions in over 75 per cent of official government tests of diesel cars sold in Europe from 2009 to 2019 and the likely use of a prohibited defeat device in those cases.

Answered by Jesse Norman

The Government is committed to reducing air pollution from all forms of transport, and this pollution has significantly fallen since 2010. Emissions of nitrogen oxides have fallen by 45% and emissions of PM2.5 by 10%.

The DVSA Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) conducts an annual emissions-testing programme to test vehicle emissions in the real world. Where MSU testing identifies non-compliant emissions, including suspicions of a prohibited defeat device, DVSA works with the manufacturer to implement improvement plans.

The results of the MSU annual emissions-testing programme are made publicly available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dvsa-vehicle-market-surveillance-unit.

In 2018 the Government strengthened restrictions against the use of illegal emissions technology by passing legislation making it an offence for manufacturers to place motor vehicles on the market which contain prohibited defeat systems. The Government will also bring forward legislation to enable it to require vehicles to be recalled on environmental grounds, as well as exploring other means to strengthen enforcement.

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) prohibit traders across all business sectors from engaging in unfair commercial practices in connection with the promotion, sale and supply of products to consumers. Trading Standards and the Competition and Markets Authority are responsible for enforcing these protections.

The Department has made no specific assessment of the impact of the case by the European Court of Justice judgement.


Written Question
Diesel Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions
Monday 17th April 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the European Court of Justice judgment that Mercedes-Benz must pay compensation for the use of illegal defeat devices in diesel cars on consumer rights.

Answered by Jesse Norman

The Government is committed to reducing air pollution from all forms of transport, and this pollution has significantly fallen since 2010. Emissions of nitrogen oxides have fallen by 45% and emissions of PM2.5 by 10%.

The DVSA Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) conducts an annual emissions-testing programme to test vehicle emissions in the real world. Where MSU testing identifies non-compliant emissions, including suspicions of a prohibited defeat device, DVSA works with the manufacturer to implement improvement plans.

The results of the MSU annual emissions-testing programme are made publicly available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dvsa-vehicle-market-surveillance-unit.

In 2018 the Government strengthened restrictions against the use of illegal emissions technology by passing legislation making it an offence for manufacturers to place motor vehicles on the market which contain prohibited defeat systems. The Government will also bring forward legislation to enable it to require vehicles to be recalled on environmental grounds, as well as exploring other means to strengthen enforcement.

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) prohibit traders across all business sectors from engaging in unfair commercial practices in connection with the promotion, sale and supply of products to consumers. Trading Standards and the Competition and Markets Authority are responsible for enforcing these protections.

The Department has made no specific assessment of the impact of the case by the European Court of Justice judgement.


Written Question
Aviation: Safety
Thursday 25th November 2021

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish a response to Early Day Motion 614 on Aviation safety and licensing.

Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

The UK Government recognises the essential commitment that aviation professionals have made to help secure the future of the Aviation industry, and that this is a time of uncertainty as the previous ways of working with Europe are changing. We continue to work closely with industry and stakeholders to ensure that we make best use of the opportunities we now have, to protect and enhance the sector’s skills and talent now and in the future as we recover from the Covid19 Pandemic.

The UK has now left the EU and EASA system and has agreed a high level Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), including an Annex on Aviation Safety. We maintain a productive dialogue with EASA and EU member states on aviation matters, and the Specialised Committee on Aviation Safety has been established.

The UK Government places the highest importance on ensuring that the opportunities arising from our exit from the EU are realised. Withdrawing from the EU means we have more autonomy to tailor aviation regulation according to the UK’s competitive needs, while also adhering to international standards. Should an agreement in the form of a further Annex on licensing be assessed to be in the UK’s overall interest, the Government could pursue this. However such an agreement would also require willingness from the EU, whose interest so far has been in implementing the current details of the TCA.

The UK Government cannot unilaterally commit to work that requires agreement from both parties. We will continue to work to ensure an effective licensing regime that supports UK aviation, to deliver effective implementation of the existing agreement with the EU, and to explore any possible future areas of co-operation.

The Department for Transport launched the Aviation Skills Retention Platform earlier this year, to offer support and help for UK license holders and the aviation sector. This platform will allow both current and former aviation sector workers who are currently out of work to register their skills, so they can be notified of relevant jobs opportunities, advice, and upskilling opportunities. This platform is a tool for the future, which will aim to retain vital skills within the industry and help address the skills gap that existed prior to the pandemic. The scheme is open to anyone from the aviation sector who is looking for a vacancy. More information can be found at: www.aviationtalent.co.uk


Written Question
Aviation: Taxation
Monday 1st March 2021

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a frequent flyer levy.

Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

The Government has committed to consult on aviation tax reform. Due to the impact of Covid-19, we have delayed the publication of this consultation. Aviation must play its part in delivering the UK’s net zero commitment and we will be publishing a separate consultation on a net zero aviation strategy in the coming months. We have no plans to bring forward a frequent flyer levy.


Written Question
Eurostar: Coronavirus
Monday 1st March 2021

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Eurostar International Limited on the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on the future of the service.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Ministers and officials, working with other Government Departments, have engaged extensively with Eurostar since March 2020 in relation to their financial situation to help the company access Government support schemes where it is eligible and appropriate. We will continue to engage, at both official and Ministerial level, withEurostar and the French government regarding the continuing impact of COVID-19 on Eurostar and on any potential financial support proposals.

We will also work with the international travel industry, including Eurostar, through the relaunch of the Global Travel Taskforce and as we look to support the restart of wider international travel when it is safe to do so.


Written Question
Eurostar
Monday 1st March 2021

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the role of the Eurostar service in reducing the climate impact of travel between the UK and mainland Europe.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government recognises that high-speed international rail services provide major benefits for UK and European citizens and businesses, including associated environmental benefits.

The overwhelming majority of passengers travelling between London and Paris or Brussels now choose to do so by rail, as opposed to by air, given the significant journey time and environmental benefits rail offers. Industry figures indicate emissions by international rail are significantly lower than the equivalent short-haul flight.

The Government fully supports the continued growth and expansion of our international rail links, such as the launch of a direct return service between London and Amsterdam last year, with the associated environmental benefits this will provide.


Written Question
Belly Mujinga
Tuesday 9th June 2020

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the British Transport Police on its investigation into the death of Belly Mujinga.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the British Transport Police on their investigation into the death of Belly Mujinga at Victoria Station on 21 March 2020. The investigation is an operational matter for BTP.


Written Question
Belly Mujinga
Tuesday 9th June 2020

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the British Transport Police on releasing the CCTV footage of the assault of Belly Mujinga at Victoria Station on 21 March 2020.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the British Transport Police on releasing the CCTV footage of the alleged assault of Belly Mujinga at Victoria Station on 21 March 2020.


Written Question
Belly Mujinga
Tuesday 9th June 2020

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the (a) British Transport Police and (b) Crown Prosecution service on the decision by the British Transport Police not to refer the alleged assault of Belly Mujinga at Victoria Station on 21 March 2020 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with either (a) the British Transport Police or (b) the Crown Prosecution Service on the alleged assault of Belly Mujinga at Victoria Station on 21 March 2020. The decision on whether to progress the case is one for BTP.