Transport Ministers have regular discussions with airport operators across the country on aviation policy issues, including domestic and international air connectivity. The UK\u2019s airports operate commercially, and it is a matter for them to work collaboratively with airlines to maintain existing air services and develop new ones.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr John Hayes"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-14T13:40:05.62Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Regional Airports"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from (a) Birmingham Airport and (b) other regional airports outside London on maintaining existing routes and increasing the number of long haul flights on offer; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/301", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Burden"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Northfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Richard Burden"} ], "uin" : "45855"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/579536", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/579536/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Secretary of State has a duty under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993, to maintain the continuity of passenger rail services in the event that a passenger rail franchise terminates and is not immediately replaced. Following a successful procurement competition using the new STAR (Specialist Technical Advice for Rail) Framework Agreement, the Department has appointed a partnership comprising Arup, SNC-Lavalin Transport Advisory and EY to provide services to support the Secretary of State in connection with these duties. This includes advice in connection with the mobilisation and operation of a Public Sector Operator of Last Resort should the need arise.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p> The Department does not intend to tender any other contracts to perform the functions of Operator of Last Resort at this stage.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-14T13:35:21.06Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: Franchises"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to tender a public contract to perform the function of operator of last resort for (a) long distance and (b) regional passenger rail franchises.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4269", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andy McDonald"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Middlesbrough"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andy McDonald"}
], "uin" : "45833"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/579537", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/579537/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Review of the Mersey Tunnel Tolls is being undertaken by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. I welcome the decision taken at its February meeting to reduce the cost of tolls to Fast Tag users. This was implemented from the 1st<\/sup> April this year, bringing significant benefits to local people. The Combined Authority is continuing its Review of tolls, to ensure that a sustainable long term position can be reached. I understand that an update report is due to be presented to the Authority this Autumn.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-14T12:46:15.65Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mersey Tunnels: Tolls"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on the review of the Mersey tunnel tolls.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/491", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Angela Eagle"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wallasey"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ms Angela Eagle"}
], "uin" : "45786"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/579539", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/579539/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Prior to the re-launch of the Franchising Programme in spring 2013, the costs of different franchising projects were not individually recorded.<\/p> <\/p> The cost of each re-franchising project since the re-launch is as follows:<\/p> <\/p> Franchise<\/p><\/td> Cost (£M)<\/p><\/td> Notes<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Essex Thameside<\/p><\/td> 4.815<\/p><\/td> 1<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern<\/p><\/td> 7.288<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> East Coast<\/p><\/td> 8.429<\/p><\/td> 2<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Northern<\/p><\/td> 8.668 (to date)<\/p><\/td> 3<\/p><\/td><\/tr> TransPennine Express<\/p><\/td> 7.577 (to date)<\/p><\/td> 3<\/p><\/td><\/tr> East Anglia<\/p><\/td> 7.413 (to date)<\/p><\/td> 3<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> These figures include adviser costs (financial, technical and legal advisers), pay costs for the project team, \u201cnon-pay\u201d costs (such as bidder day seminars, public consultations, etc), and VAT where applicable, for the duration of the procurements.<\/p> <\/p> Note that the sums invested in each re-franchising project are dwarfed by the (Resource) Support for Passenger Rail Services benefits to the Department from the re-franchising \u2013 £200 for every £1.<\/p> <\/p> Notes<\/strong><\/p> <\/p> NOTE 1: The Essex Thameside figure represents the work done after the relaunch of the Franchising Programme. There was a significant amount of work completed prior to the pausing of the programme in autumn 2012 which is not included here.<\/p> <\/p> NOTE 2: The Intercity East Coast costs were not charged to the public purse, but were covered by the Performance Bond that National Express put forward following its default of the previous East Coast contract.<\/p> <\/p> NOTE 3: The figures for Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE) and East Anglia are the latest figures (as at the end of August 2016). East Anglia is still a \u2018live\u2019 project. Whilst Northern and TPE have concluded, there are still some residual costs that may affect the final figures.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-14T13:30:21.213Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: Franchises"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost to his Department was of each re-tendering exercise held for franchises for (a) long distance and (b) regional passenger rail services in each year since 2005-06.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4269", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andy McDonald"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Middlesbrough"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andy McDonald"}
], "uin" : "45782"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/579541", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/579541/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " It is a matter for Network Rail to assess the capability of the contractors they appoint to deliver their deployment of traffic management systems. Network Rail have confirmed to us that the commissioning into service of the traffic management system for the rail operating centre at Romford will be re-planned for next year.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-14T12:55:24.927Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Network Rail: Contracts"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the feasibility of the contractor delivering all contracted functionality of the first deployment traffic management system for the rail operating centre at Romford by November 2016; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4269", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andy McDonald"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Middlesbrough"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andy McDonald"}
], "uin" : "45781"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/578566", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/578566/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Graffiti removal on the rail network is an operational matter for Network Rail, but the company has advised me that it currently spends around £3.5 million a year for this purpose.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-20T12:39:52.96Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: Graffiti"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what steps they are taking to remove graffiti from the rail network.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3830", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Mawson"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Mawson"}
], "uin" : "HL1710"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/578567", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/578567/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The independent regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), is responsible for monitoring and enforcing health and safety matters in respect of Britain\u2019s railway. It has confirmed that Network Rail has standards in place regarding the removal of material and equipment following the completion of works and that Network Rail provides adequate guidance to its staff on this issue in order to minimise health and safety risks. However, the ORR has noted some inconsistent application of these standards; its inspectors are therefore actively engaging with Network Rail to address this issue.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-20T12:38:50.323Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: Industrial Health and Safety"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the health and safety implications of discarded pieces of rail and equipment alongside tracks across the rail network.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3830", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Mawson"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Mawson"}
], "uin" : "HL1711"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/578568", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/578568/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Her Majesty\u2019s Government has not made any such assessment.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-21T12:08:53.987Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they have made an assessment of the upkeep and tidiness of the rail network in Japan; and if so, what lessons they have learnt that could be adopted within the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3830", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Mawson"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Mawson"}
], "uin" : "HL1712"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/578569", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/578569/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " There is extensive evidence of the importance of transport and connectivity to attracting inward investment in to the UK economy. HM Government is always seeking to maximise such opportunities, however we have made no specific assessment of how the UK\u2019s railways are currently bearing on inward investment.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-21T11:32:22.267Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on inward investment to the UK of the condition and environment of the UK rail network.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3830", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Mawson"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Mawson"}
], "uin" : "HL1713"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/578621", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/578621/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Airports Commission shortlisted three airport expansion schemes, two at Heathrow and one at Gatwick. The Airports Commission considered that all three of the shortlisted schemes were commercially viable and privately financeable.<\/p> <\/p> The Government is carefully considering all the evidence set out, including that on costs and financing, before making a decision on additional runway capacity.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr John Hayes"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-16T11:29:09.513Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "London Airports: Investment"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much private funding (a) Heathrow Airport and (b) Gatwick Airport declared to the Government would be invested as part of its expansion plans.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1565", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Philip Davies"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Shipley"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Philip Davies"}
], "uin" : "45722"}
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