Tag: Lord Berkeley

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2015-11-04.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any restrictions concerning ships anchoring in Mount’s Bay, and what steps are being taken to protect fishermen’s lobster pots from damage by ships’ ground tackle.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

There are no restrictions concerning ships anchoring in Mount’s Bay. International freedoms permitting ships to anchor within territorial seas are protected under the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Ships’ Masters are responsible for selecting safe and appropriate anchorage positions for their ships.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is aware of the ongoing sea‑space competition issue between shipping and fisheries in Mount’s Bay. Warnings of unattended fishing pots have been placed on both nautical charts and in Admiralty Pilot books to assist Ships’ Masters with the decision where to anchor.

In October 2015, the MCA facilitated a meeting between affected Mount’s Bay fishermen and the UK’s Safety of Navigation Committee, with a view to addressing the underlying problems here. This work is ongoing.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2016-02-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to publish responses to the consultation on the draft Shaw Report on the future structure of Network Rail.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Government has asked Nicola Shaw to undertake an independent report on the future shape and financing of Network Rail and it is up to her whether she chooses to publish the responses to her consultation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2016-03-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 17 March (HL6898), what assessment they have made of the Mont Blanc tunnel fire of 1999 and the implications of that fire and subsequent investigations, inquiries and trials for (1) the construction of a Trans-Pennine Tunnel or other long road tunnels, (2) the safety management of such tunnels, (3) the classes of vehicles that will be permitted to operate through such tunnels, and (4) the licensing and inspection of different classes of vehicles, especially heavy goods vehicles, in using such tunnels.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Trans Pennine Tunnel Study will include the consideration of international best practice in tunnel design and management to learn lessons from around the world. The design and development of a Trans Pennine Tunnel will comply with the current international standards that were changed as a result of the Mont Blanc fire.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2016-04-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans HS2 has for using secondary aggregates for the construction of Phase 1.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

As part of our overall sustainability policy for HS2, we plan to use both secondary and re-cycled aggregates in structures which are designed with concrete. Their use, along with the types of concrete to be used, will be dependent on the specific design characteristics of individual HS2 structures and will be subject to the detailed design process in due course. The design process will also take into account other important sustainable factors such as material availability and logistics.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2016-07-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 12 July (HL921), what changes the Red Arrows offered to make to their original programme; and what, if any, safety advice was received by the Red Arrows and from whom.

Earl Howe

The Red Arrows did not offer to make any changes to their original, approved routine or display sequence. However, they did liaise with the event organisers, who are responsible for mitigating risks to those on the ground and those in boats in the local estuary, on where best to locate the display. To avoid flying over anyone in the estuary, the Red Arrows were prepared to display over the sea.

The Red Arrows did not receive any safety advice specifically relating to a display at Fowey Regatta.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2015-11-04.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are investigating whether price-dumping contributed to the closure of UK steelworks.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

Imports of low cost steel are one of the major challenges facing the steel industry. Formal responsibility for investigation of – and implementing measures against – dumped imports lies with the European Commission, based on complaints made to them by industry. The Government is keepingin close contact with the industry and the Commission to help ensure claims of dumping are investigated promptly and any justified measures against dumping are implemented as soon as possible.

In response to global issues with over-supply we secured an emergency EU Council meeting which took place on 9th November to discussdumping and other issues affecting the steel industry.We will continue to press for firmer faster action against unfair trade practices affecting the industry.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2016-02-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to consult on any recommendations contained in the Shaw Report on the future of Network Rail due to be published in March.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Nicola Shaw has been asked to produce an independent report into the future shape and financing of Network Rail and her work will look at all the options. Government has no pre-determined view of the right outcome and will not be dogmatic about the future shape of Network Rail as we want the right outcome for passengers and taxpayers. Government looks forward to receiving the final report and will respond in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2016-03-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 17 March (HL6898), how many road tunnels worldwide there are of a comparable length to road tunnels planned underneath the Peak District; and for each of those (1) how long they have been in operation, (2) what traffic speed they operate at, (3) how many lanes there are and whether they have a hard shoulder, (4) what levels of air pollution are found within them, (5) what their construction cost was, and (6) whether they were delivered on time and on budget.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

We are currently examining a number of corridors to identify potential links between Manchester and Sheffield. At this stage the precise length of any tunnel is unknown. The initial findings on the construction and maintenance of a potential tunnel were published in the Interim Report in November 2015. The next stages of the study will examine shortlisted options in more detail and will include the consideration of international best practice. The conclusions will be published later this year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2016-04-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government who was responsible for the maintenance of the access ramps to the mezzanine deck on the St Helen ferry at Fishbourne, Isle of Wight, which collapsed on 18 July 2014 causing several injuries; whether any prosecutions are planned; and who would be responsible for any resulting prosecutions.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Maintenance of all parts of a vessel is the responsibility of the ship owner or operator.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) examines significant breaches of safety and environmental aspects of Merchant Shipping legislation to determine what action is appropriate, which may include prosecution.

The MCA is considering the circumstances of this particular incident in light of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s report.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2016-07-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 6 May (HL7878), when the Marine and Coastguard Agency will institute a prosecution of those responsible for that incident.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will not be instituting any prosecution following the collapse of the mezzanine deck on the ST HELEN ferry at Fishbourne, Isle of Wight.

Before a prosecution is commenced the matter must pass the two stage test as outlined in the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The MCA has confirmed that it will not pass both stages and have decided that it would not be in the public interest to pursue this further at this time.