Contributions
2,622 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDP&O FerriesI agree with the noble Baroness that it is very important that we make sure that job losses are kept to an absolute minimum, and I understand that that is indeed the case. The…05 Jan 2021HANSARDP&O FerriesMy noble friend will be aware that there are currently 19 routes going from the east coast of England across the North Sea. Plenty of freight routes are already in existence and…05 Jan 2021HANSARDP&O FerriesI thank the noble Lord for his question, which is slightly beyond the remit of what we are discussing today—but never mind, I will take his suggestion back to the department. The…05 Jan 2021HANSARDP&O FerriesMy Lords, I recognise the concern that the loss of the Hull to Zeebrugge route has caused. My colleague the Maritime Minister, Robert Courts, met P&O Ferries on 15 December, when…05 Jan 2021HANSARDP&O FerriesThe noble Viscount will know that the maritime sector is an extremely well-developed and highly competitive private sector. The Government work very closely with it; we endeavour…05 Jan 2021HANSARDP&O FerriesI thank the noble Lord for allowing me to reconfirm, following the many times I have already done so, that the Government believe that there are freight and passenger services…05 Jan 2021HANSARDP&O FerriesThe Government did not do nothing; they had conversations with P&O, which operates many ferry routes in the UK. It reached its decision based on the factors I have set out.…05 Jan 2021HANSARDP&O FerriesAs I explained to the previous questioner, there are already several—indeed, 19—routes that freight can take across the North Sea, and those will continue. I therefore do not see…05 Jan 2021HANSARDP&O FerriesMy Lords, although the loss of this route is regrettable, in present circumstances, with passenger traffic severely constrained, it would not be in the public interest, nor fair…05 Jan 2021HANSARDHeathrow Airport ExpansionThe Government are considering the court’s judgment carefully, but I remind the noble Lord that Heathrow expansion is a project owned by Heathrow Airport Ltd and it is for the…17 Dec 2020HANSARDHeathrow Airport ExpansionI agree with much of what the noble Lord has just outlined. Indeed, the Government are doing many of those things he mentioned, including our recent investments in sustainable…17 Dec 2020HANSARDFreight Industry: DelaysI reassure my noble friend that we are working closely with the Welsh Government on a cross-government basis to make sure all ports are as ready as they can be. I can also…17 Dec 2020HANSARDFreight Industry: DelaysI too pay tribute to the enormous amount of hard work going on in our ports at the moment. According to the World Shipping Council, we are currently beyond anything anyone could…17 Dec 2020HANSARDHeathrow Airport ExpansionMy Lords, it is Christmas, but I will not be teased. The noble Lord raises the question of noise and it is a good point. I have already noted that aircraft are quieter than they…17 Dec 2020HANSARDHeathrow Airport ExpansionAs the noble Baroness knows, recording carbon emissions is challenging, because they cannot all be attributed to a single country. There is a global agreement on the way in which…17 Dec 2020HANSARDHeathrow Airport ExpansionMy noble friend is right that aviation will play a key part in the recovery and subsequent growth, as part of global Britain. There are a number of airports that have capacity at…17 Dec 2020HANSARDHeathrow Airport ExpansionMy Lords, as I have already stated, any expansion at Heathrow must meet strict criteria on air quality.17 Dec 2020HANSARDFreight Industry: DelaysMy Lords, as I said, the port infrastructure fund provided funding to 41 ports, and they will be able to put various things in place. Work is ongoing with the devolved…17 Dec 2020HANSARDHeathrow Airport ExpansionI recall that, back when I was Aviation Minister for about five minutes, traffic management around Heathrow, both now and in the future, was a very important consideration. As the…17 Dec 2020HANSARDHeathrow Airport ExpansionMy noble and learned friend is right to say that when making forecasts, one is always reliant on assumptions. There will be assumptions about air quality, noise levels and climate…17 Dec 2020