Written Questions

Michael Penning: The Highways Agency are liaising closely with Transport for London to ensure effective arrangements are in place for managing additional traffic movements over the Dartford Crossing due to closure of the Blackwall tunnel. Any solution will need to take account of the potential benefits and impacts, and the need to maintain the safe operation of the Crossing for the millions of its users. read more »

Michael Penning: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not record the number of driving licences reported as stolen, but it does record the number of duplicate driving licences issued due to the licence being reported as lost/stolen/defaced. The following table provides figures for each financial year from 1997. Figures are not available by county and are for GB as a whole. 1997-98 753,091 ... read more »

Michael Penning: holding answer 13 July 2010 I have received three letters containing representations from my hon. Members for Truro and Falmouth, Waveney, and Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. Copies of these representations have been deposited in the Library. I have also received a number of oral representations including the British Ports Association and the Chamber of Shipping. Two Early Day Motions... read more »

Michael Penning: I would be happy to discuss any transport issues with my Welsh counterparts. However, any improvements could only be considered once the spending review is finished, and the wider fiscal context is clear. read more »

Michael Penning: The proposed components of the Road Accident In-Depth Study (RAIDS) relating to on scene accident investigations have not been taken forward this year as it was not affordable given the difficult fiscal circumstances the Government inherited. However, a new integrated RAIDS database has recently been completed containing data from the legacy 'On the Spot' and 'Co-operative Crash Injury... read more »

Michael Penning: As part of the £6 billion package of savings announced in May, we announced that the start of works on some road schemes would be postponed. Final decisions on these schemes will be taken following the spending review, and will depend upon the overall level of capital spending agreed across Government. read more »

Michael Penning: The Secretary of State met the European Commissioner for Transport, Siim Kallas, on 8 July 2010 and, among other things, discussed differential pay for seafarers. Department for Transport officials have discussed seafarers' pay differentials with European Commission officials on various occasions since the Commission first raised their concerns about the UK legislation. Officials from the... read more »

Michael Penning: Since I published the Carter report on 9 June 2010, Official Report, column 9WS, I and my officials have met representatives from all sides of the industry, including the Chamber of Shipping and trade unions, and heard first-hand their views and concerns on differential pay. On 23 June 2010, Department for Transport officials provided European Commission officials with a copy of the... read more »

Michael Penning: As is normal practice, discussions will be held with the relevant trade unions before any decisions are taken on the future of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). No consultancy advice has been commissioned and there are no plans to commission any consultancy advice on VOSA prior to the comprehensive spending review. read more »