Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay
Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes Order 2023 (Revocation) Bill: Second Reading – Richard Holden.
That leave be given to bring in a Bill under SO No. 23 [details to be provided] – Richard Holden.
Will the Minister give way?
I just wanted to make it very clear that I was in no way questioning what Mr Speaker decided. When he spoke to me, he made it very clear that his understanding was that the Government were going to make a statement. [Interruption.] Government Front Benchers may shake their heads, but that is what I was told by Mr Speaker.
Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. The point I was making was that I was basically being accused by the Minister of saying something that I had not said. I just wanted to make clear what was said, because the real question here is one of parliamentary scrutiny.
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Members have not had the chance today to properly raise the NATS blackout, which has affected over 100,000 passengers and cost UK aviation tens of millions of pounds. The Secretary of State has not indicated that the Government will provide a statement today in the Chamber. Madam Deputy Speaker, can you tell me what those of us on the Opposition...
Before I turn to the Bill, let me comment on the events of the last 24 hours, which have shown just how important effective oversight of our aviation sector is. The shocking failure at NATS has left hundreds of thousands of passengers in the lurch, and serious questions have been raised about the resilience of our air traffic control system and aviation infrastructure. As we consider...
Okay. If he does not want to answer the questions, we will have to drag him to the House tomorrow.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2026 to Question 14998 on British Overseas Territories, what was the total cost to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of each of the 10 monitoring visits to British Overseas Territories since 4 July 2024, broken down by (a) travel, (b) accommodation and (c) other expenses.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2026 to Question 15008 on Train Operating Companies: Finance, what assessment she has made of the reasons for passenger revenue being lower than forecast in 2025-2026 financial year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2026 to Question 15461 on Air Routes, when the UK Airspace Design Service is expected to become fully operational; and for how long it is expected to take to get to around 40 staff.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2026 to Question 19484 on Large Goods Vehicles: Electric Vehicles, what purchase price differential her Department calculated between diesel and equivalent zero-emission HGVs in each of the weight categories listed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish a list of all posts and locations currently classified as qualifying hardship posts for the purpose of additional journeys for staff posted overseas.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the cost to the public purse was of producing the video published on his Department’s X account on 25 August 2026, including the cost of (a) the cake, (b) fees and expenses paid to participants, (c) filming and production, (d) editing and (e) other costs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2026 to Question 14995 on Judicial Appointments, which relevant underrepresented protected characteristic or characteristics were taken into account in each of the recommendations for judicial appointment made following application of the Equal Merit Provision.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what topics remain outstanding in relation to (a) the handover of Winslow station, (b) station security arrangements and (c) staffing arrangements before passenger services can commence on East West Rail; and what the estimated cost is of resolving those topics.
