Ahead of letting the freight contracts in December 2018, the Department undertook all relevant value for money assessments and clearances, in line with good practice.<\/p>
<\/p>
As part of the procurement process, price benchmarking was undertaken to ensure contracted prices for Government were commensurate with market rates.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Grayling"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Epsom and Ewell"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Grayling"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-22T13:07:21.103Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Freight"} , "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, pursuant to the Answer of 11 July 2019 to Question 273804 on Freight, what assessment he has made of the value for money of the freight network capacity plans that he announced in December 2018.", "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" : "276542"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138666", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138666/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The framework that my Department is setting up on behalf of wider Government will provide a long-term approach to securing freight capacity when needed. This approach, which is different from that adopted in December 2018, will provide additional flexibility and resilience.<\/p>
At this stage in the procurement process the Government is not committed to buying or reserving any freight capacity. The costs associated with any capacity secured through the framework will be determined later in the process, once the framework is in place and Government has \u2018called-off\u2019 the capacity it requires.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Grayling"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Epsom and Ewell"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Grayling"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-22T13:10:05.777Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Freight"} , "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, pursuant to the Answer of 11 July 2019 to Question 273804 on Freight, what comparative assessment he has made of the value for money of the plans for new freight network capacity made in (a) December 2018 and (b) June 2019.", "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" : "276543"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138184", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138184/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Road Investment Strategy (RIS 1) 2015 - 2020 has enabled Highways England to deliver unprecedented levels of investment on the strategic road network in England and the star rating system is an assessment tool which Highways England continue to use to assist them in prioritising future investment opportunities.<\/p>
<\/p>
On single carriageways Highways England are committed to investing £77 million in improvement schemes by 2020, which is over and above enhancements through routine maintenance such as new road markings, signing and vegetation clearance. Highways England will review the star rating of the network when it is re-evaluated as part of RIS 2.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4116", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Northampton North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Michael Ellis"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-17T14:18:25.253Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Roads: Safety"} , "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 assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the (a) finding in the July 2019 Highways England Strategic Road Network Star Rating Report that for the funding period 2015-2020 60 per cent of journeys on Highways England\u2019s single carriageways are forecast to be below the three-star road safety benchmark under the EuroRAP/iRAP rating system for the safety of road infrastructure and (b) statement in the March 2015 Highways England 2015-2020 delivery plan that the organisation will ensure that by the end of 2020 more than 90 per cent of travel on the strategic road network will be on roads with a safety rating of EuroRAP3* (or equivalent).", "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" : "275760"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138187", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138187/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department worked with both Stone Hill Park and River Oak Strategic Partners prior to the completion of sale of Manston Airport, and are satisfied that the sale does not have any implications for our contingency plans.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Grayling"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Epsom and Ewell"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Grayling"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "275762"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-17T14:41:50.35Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Manston Airport"} , "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 assessment he has made of the implications of the purchase of Manston airport site by Riveroak Strategic Partners from Stone Hill Park in July 2019 for (a) his freight network capacity plan in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal and (b) the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Manston Airport) Special Development Order 2019.", "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" : "275761"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138189", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138189/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department worked with both Stone Hill Park and River Oak Strategic Partners prior to the completion of sale of Manston Airport, and are satisfied that the sale does not have any implications for our contingency plans.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Grayling"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Epsom and Ewell"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Grayling"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "275761"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-17T14:41:50.41Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Manston Airport"} , "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 due diligence his Department undertook on Riveroak Strategic Partners before that company's purchase of Manston Airport in July 2019.", "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" : "275762"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138190", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138190/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In the event of leaving the EU without a deal, HMRC\u2019s plans allow for the border to operate without significant new infrastructure. In preparation for an April no deal, HMRC announced a number of easements to help businesses adjust to the new arrangements and developed temporary solutions to support transit movements at a small number of locations to address expected pressure on existing infrastructure. HMRC worked closely with Department for Transport and local agencies to expand capacity in Kent, including the use of Manston to support transit movements.<\/p>
<\/p>
HMRC has continued to listen to stakeholders as part of their preparation for all EU Exit scenarios. HMRC are actively reviewing their plans to develop a more resilient infrastructure solution for transit movements in Kent in the event of a no deal exit on 31 October.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hereford and South Herefordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jesse Norman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-19T12:31:18.557Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Manston Airport"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to use Manston airport as an inland, pre-customs clearing port for outward freight in relation to his Department's freight network capacity plans in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.", "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" : "275763"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138192", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138192/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Secretary of State for Transport has played no role in RiverOak Strategic Partners Ltd application for a Development Consent Order on the site of Manston airport.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Examination of this application concluded on 9th<\/sup> July 2019. The Examining Authority now have three months to write their report and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will then have three months in which to issue a decision.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4116", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Northampton North"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Michael Ellis"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-17T14:54:02.133Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Manston Airport"}
, "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 role he played in Riveroak Strategic Partners' application for a Development Consent Order on the site of Manston Airport; and what the (a) process and (b) timeframe is for his granting of consent after the Planning Inspectorate\u2019s examination has concluded.", "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" : "275764"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137811", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137811/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The type of role that railways play, for example the relative mix of local and commuter demand versus regional and longer distance travel, varies from country to country. The UK has one of the most intensively utilised rail networks in Europe, with many commuter services and over 4,000 extra services per week having been added over the past couple of years. The UK rail system has some of the highest passenger satisfaction levels in Europe, and the recent Transport Focus National Rail Passenger Survey Spring 2019 reported that the biggest single factor impacting on passenger satisfaction was punctuality, at a 36% contribution, whilst \u2018journey length\u2019 only made a 7% contribution. Furthermore, to the limited extent that journey length is considered important, 84% of passengers surveyed were satisfied with \u2018the length of time the journey was scheduled to take (speed)\u2019, the third highest satisfaction level out of the 40 different aspects of a rail journey assessed.<\/p> <\/p> Once construction of HS2 has been completed trains would be capable of operations up to 360km/h, however HS2 is about much more than just speed, it brings enhanced capacity, in particular released capacity on the existing rail network connectivity and wider economic benefits.<\/p> <\/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" : "2019-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-17T13:24:20.61Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: Standards"}
, "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 assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the finding of the July 2019 Railway Gazette International report that the real time performance speed of trains in the UK were 13th in a table of world rankings; 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" : "275204"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137852", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137852/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Last week I was pleased to announce that to help enable the delivery of the ambitions of the Clean Maritime Plan, the Government is supporting Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) in launching an innovation call of £1m called the Clean Maritime Innovation Call, which will open this summer. The Clean Maritime Innovation Call aims to fund technology and innovations which have the potential to unlock reductions of air quality pollutants and/or greenhouse gases from the maritime sector.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4460", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wealden"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Ms Nusrat Ghani"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-15T11:22:41.557Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Shipping: Exhaust Emissions"}
, "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 level of funding is available to support his Department's Clean Maritime Plan.", "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" : "275205"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137858", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137858/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department does not normally publish detailed economic assessments that inform rail policy decisions. In developing the business case different policy options would have been considered and appraised as per the guidelines in the Green Book. The economic assessment to evaluate the value for money would have utilised the Department\u2019s modelling and appraisal guidance (WebTAG). The latest information on this can be found at:<\/p>