Contributions
2,622 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRail Strikes: Impact AssessmentI am afraid I fundamentally disagree with what the noble Baroness just said. There has been no silence from the Government at all. The Prime Minister has answered Questions on it;…08 Dec 2022HANSARDRail Strikes: Impact AssessmentMy noble friend raises a very important point here, because the Christmas period is always a time when the rail sector endeavours to make important improvements, such as the one…08 Dec 2022HANSARDRail Strikes: Impact AssessmentMy Lords, we expect approximately 20% of planned services to run in the 24 to 27 December period, with considerable regional variation. While generally few rail services run…08 Dec 2022HANSARDRail Strikes: Impact AssessmentWell read, my Lord. I do not accept what the noble Lord just said. Indeed, I slightly object to him telling me what I know when it is followed by words that are not true. There is…08 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelThere are numerous factors when it comes to that, but in Flightpath to the Future we set out the 10 points that we can do in terms of making our aviation sector as competitive as…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelI can reassure the noble Lord that the numbers of flights per day between Northern Ireland and Great Britain are the same as they were before the pandemic. However, he is right…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelThe Government believe in choice. While we absolutely want to resolve the rail strikes as soon as possible, because they will be turning people away from the railways, which is…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelAh, yes, the sorry saga of the Scottish ferries—I am very pleased that that is not in my inbox for the time being. It is the case that the public service obligations operate…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelAbsolutely. In a competitive market, if one chooses to book 24 hours ahead of a particular journey, I should imagine one is going to pay more. However, we also know that costs for…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelIt is the case that there are 17 PSOs in Scotland, and an agreement was reached between the Scottish Government and the UK Government that they would be administrated and paid for…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelWe have one of the most liberal aviation markets in Europe and, indeed, in the world. It is the case that, at peak times, including travelling to Scotland in the evening, flights…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelThe reality is that this is a competitive market and fares are a commercial decision by the airlines. I have already noted that provision has recovered to where it was before. It…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelI know that the noble Baroness will have the opportunity to quiz me on rail tomorrow. It is the case that we want rail fares to be as low as possible. To achieve that, we need a…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelI am sure that my noble friend is aware that, when we reduced domestic air passenger duty, we added a new ultra-long haul distance band to ensure that the revenues to the…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelThere is a fair opportunity for people to fly in the United Kingdom. Indeed, in the week commencing 27 November, there were 143 flights a day between Northern Ireland and Great…07 Dec 2022HANSARDAviation: Cost of TravelMy Lords, the Government recognise the importance of air travel for UK connectivity, and we are supporting this connectivity through public service obligations, or PSOs, and a 50%…07 Dec 2022HANSARDMerchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022My Lords, these draft regulations implement amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 into law. They…06 Dec 2022HANSARDMerchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022The department is grateful, as is the MCA. I look forward to the next debate on maritime regulations.06 Dec 2022HANSARDMerchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022That the Grand Committee do consider the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022.06 Dec 2022HANSARDMerchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022My Lords, I am grateful for such a fine turnout in this short debate on maritime safety standards. I will, as ever, try to answer as many questions as possible and will write with…06 Dec 2022