RMT

PARLIAMENTARY

GROUP

REPORT

September to November 2012

RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

CONTENTS

Executive Summary 3

Legislation 5

Rail 9

London Underground 25

Maritime 28

Offshore 40

Buses 42

Trade Union Coordinating Group 44

Annex 1: Group agenda 49

Annex 2: Early Day Motions 50

Annex 4: List of Group Members 56

2 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Executive Summary

This report covers the period from 3rd September, when the House returned from Summer recess, through to 22nd November 2012. The House sat for eight weeks during this period which included the break for Party Conferences when the House rose on 18th September and returned for its Autumn session on 15th October. The House will rise for Christmas recess on 20th December and return on 7th January 2013.

The Cabinet re-shuffle on 4th September saw Justine Greening replaced by Patrick McLoughlin as Transport Secretary.

In addition to strategy and other meetings the Parliamentary Group met once formally over this five week period on 6th November and its next meeting is scheduled for 11th December. We are currently preparing the schedule of group meetings for 2013.

The Government’s attack on worker’s rights has continued apace throughout this period with the Public Service Pensions (PSP) Bill, the Criminal Injuries Compensations Scheme 2012, the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill and the Growth and Infrastructure Bill all making their way through Parliament. The Parliamentary Group has engaged all parliamentary mechanisms available to oppose these measures and voice the unions concerns. An amendment to protect the pensions rights of ex-Jarvis workers has been tabled for the Report Stage of the PSP Bill on 4th December, although this may have difficulty being selected for debate as the Bill is about public service pensions.

Chris Williamson secured an adjournment debate for the Group on Bombardier and Frank addressed the RMT rally to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Kings Cross Fire. The Group is also still pursuing the Maritime Round-Table Discussion with the Minister which has yet to be arranged. The Group has continued to facilitate a flow of information between the union and Parliament, providing information to the union from PQs and House of Commons Library research, debate transcripts and Ministerial Statements; and circulating RMT Briefings and Press Releases to MPs.

Listed in the table below are the Early Day Motions (EDMs) tabled by the Group during the 2012-2013 Parliament which began on 9th May. During the period of this report we have added EDMs on ISS cleaners on London Underground and the 25th anniversary of the King's Cross Fire and staffing on London Underground. We will be gathering further support for these. Kelvin Hopkins is to table an EDM on the sale of Rail Freight facilities.

All of these EDMs remain on the Parliamentary Order Paper and will be available for further signatures.

EDM Title (2012-2013 Parliament) Tabling MP Signatures No. 59 London Taxis and the Olympic Route Network John McDonnell 18 61 15 Year Age Limit for London Taxis John McDonnell 16

3 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

68 Ban on Pedicabs During the London Olympics John McDonnell 9 134 London Midland Ticket Offices Frank Dobson 19 137 Training for Seafarers Karl Turner 34 209 Falkland Islands Conflict and the Merchant Navy Mike Hancock 15 291 Churchill Cleaners Ian Mearns 19 386 Catering Facilities on Intercity West Coast Rail Gerald Kaufman 27 Service 419 Privatisation of Scottish Ferry Services Katy Clark 32 723 ISS Cleaners on London Underground Jeremy Corbyn 12 745 King's Cross Fire and Staffing on London Frank Dobson 15 Underground

During the period of this report detailed briefing material and RMT Press Notices have been widely distributed throughout Parliament on issues including: · West Coast Main Line · King’s Cross Fire 25th Anniversary · Thameslink · Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme · Train driver may be the last to receive CICS award after suicide death trauma · Driver action prevents potential tube tragedy · Taxpayer bail-outs for UK rail franchises · Rail Fares · Crossrail · Tonnage Tax

Group members have tabled Parliamentary Questions on a wide range of issues of concern to the union. Parliamentary Questions have been tabled by Katy Clark MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Ian Davidson MP, Kelvin Hopkins MP, John McDonnell MP, Ian Mearns MP, Karl Turner MP and Chris Williamson MP and are included in this report. Several more written Parliamentary Questions have been tabled and await response. Subjects covered by the Questions:

· Rail: Franchises (incl. West Coast), Fares, Network Rail, Freight, Rail Delivery Group, Thameslink contract, · Maritime: Shipping, Ports, Safety, Privatisation of Marchwood, Tonnage Tax, Minimum Wage, Channel Islands Regs. · Offshore: industry safety · Buses.

Ian Davidson MP addressed the RMT Political School via videolink on 23rd October and the Parliamentary Group hosted the regular Political School on 25th October in Westminster, which was addressed by John McDonnell and Chris Williamson. Further bookings have been made for March and October 2013. The Group have booked a Committee Room for a lobby of Parliament for London Underground cleaners on 11th December.

The Parliamentary Group Convenor, John McDonnell MP, will present this report to the Council of Executives on 4th December.

4 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Legislation

· Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 On 12th November the draft scheme, which was laid before the House on 2nd July, was finally approved in a division by 275 to 231. On that day the RMT staged a demonstration outside Parliament about this, which was addressed by Bob Crow. Typical RMT cases affecting rail workers include disabling mental illnesses suffered through witnessing suicides and fatalities on the railway and the resulting psychological damage as a result of assaults on railway workers. The changes will restrict compensation to those who suffer only the most severe injuries. Despite earlier Ministerial assurances that these plans would be reconsidered, after protests by MPs, unions and victim support groups, they were presented unchanged and forced through the Delegated Legislation Committee. Group member Katy Clark was among those who vociferously opposed this measure and delayed its progress at Committee. The Opposition ensured a debate on 7th November, calling for the scheme to be reconsidered so that the blameless victims of violent crime were not also victims of these new restrictions scheme but this was defeated by 289 to 209: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm121107/debtext/121107- 0003.htm#12110766003247

John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): I want to speak on one narrow point of the proposal with regard to railways. I represent a railway estate in my constituency that traditionally housed railway workers and their families, and I chair the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers parliamentary group. I have dealt with constituents who in their working lives have tried to intervene to protect passengers and in so doing have become victims of assaults, and who have been witnesses to the tragic suicides at my local station and across the country. In the past five months, my local station has seen four suicides in which an individual has stepped in front of a fast train. That has an immense traumatic impact on not just the family of the victim, but on the driver and other staff who were witnesses, and on those who deal with the aftermath of the incident. I was, therefore, extremely concerned that the proposal, which has been considered by two delegated legislation Committees, is described by the impact assessment as “Clarifying eligibility for the scheme and changing the scope of the scheme to no longer make payments for mental injury to those who…are employed on the railways and witness (or are involved in the aftermath) of an injury resulting directly from an offence of trespass on the railways”. That goes back to the 1980s when we campaigned and won a recognition that there should be some form of compensation for those workers who were traumatised by the experience of suicide, largely as a result of their train hitting the victim, or seeing it from the platform. Initially, the House of Lords did not accept that suicide was within the remit of the compensation scheme, but in 1990 a Conservative Government did accept that, and so compensated those who were victims of such trauma. The proposal is, therefore, a significant step backwards, which will impact on a large number of people who suffer in such a way.

5 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

My right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East (Mr Smith) quoted one example of what had happened to a shop worker, so may I quote an example provided by the RMT of what happened to Karen Jordan, from Barnet, who has been driving trains for 10 years and has twice had her train impact with a suicide victim? The last occasion, the RMT says,

“was a routine journey but as the train rounded a bend she spotted what she thought was a tarpaulin on the track. When her train hit the object she saw a pair of shoes, socks and lower legs. Even if she had been able to apply the emergency brakes she would have been powerless to stop it hitting the man.”

The driver saw that person cut in two. She was traumatised, and experienced flashbacks and nightmares. She was eventually allowed to retire on medical grounds, but during the period concerned she was off sick. Yes, she received sickness benefits, but under the new compensation scheme arrangements she would not have satisfied the criteria for eligibility for the emergency fund for that very reason. Had the incident occurred today, she would have received no compensation whatsoever. The loss of any form of income on any scale will have a significant impact on many workers receiving relatively low pay. According to the findings of an HSBC survey that were reported in the newspapers over the weekend, a third of all households have less than £250 in the bank, and among those in their 40s the proportion is 42%. Previously, someone who had had an accident at work and received sickness benefits, thus experiencing a significant loss of earnings, would be tided over by the £1,000 or £2,000 provided by the criminal injuries compensation scheme, and prevented from—in the words of HSBC—falling into destitution. We will not vote on the scheme today. The formal vote may take place next week or a couple of weeks later, which means that we have time to iron out some of the anomalies. People will suffer if the scheme is accepted in its current form, and I think they will believe that the House has not protected their interests.

We are all committed to ensuring that victims are protected, and we all want to see the perpetrators pay more. What we are saying is that there are problems with the scheme that is being proposed at present, and that further discussion is needed. If it is possible for that discussion to take place on a cross-party basis, and if we can reach a consensus, let us at least attempt that before we rush this measure through and have such a severe impact on people’s lives.

· The Public Service Pensions Bill

The Bill was presented to Parliament on 14th September and had its second reading debate on 29th October: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm121029/debtext/121029- 0002.htm#12102923000001

.

6 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): I declare an interest as a member of a local government pension scheme. Let me put it clearly on the record that the Bill does a number of simple things: it means that civil servants—teachers, firefighters, hospital workers and council workers—will work longer, pay more and get less. That is the reality. It was said that this has been agreed by the trade unions, but it has been rejected by the Public and Commercial Services Union, the National Union of Teachers, the Prison Officers Association, the Fire Brigades Union and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, which represents the royal auxiliary workers. Not a single union has supported the Bill or expressed satisfaction with it, and that includes all those in negotiations, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Medical Association. Why? For me, the Bill embodies the Government’s policy and prime objective that the economic crisis will be paid for by public sector workers rather than those who caused the crisis in the first place. It typifies the Government’s approach.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander spoke for the Government and Rachel Reeves from the Opposition Frontbench. The vote to approve a second reading was 276 to 19 with the front bench abstaining.

Having completed its Committee Stage, where the Bill is scrutinised line by line, it will reach its Final Stages in the Commons on 4th December, for which an RMT Group amendment on Jarvis pensions has been tabled, seeking to restore the protections of the 1993 Act and secure justice for former Jarvis workers.

The 1993 Railways Act which privatised the railway also contained provisions to protect rail workers pensions. Following the Jarvis rail company going into administration in 2010, the Government stated the Act did not cover situations of insolvency and had also been taken over in some respects by the legislation establishing the Pension Protection Fund, which offers inferior protections to the 1993 Act.

Whether our amendment will be selected for debate on 4th December is entirely at the Speaker’s discretion but this won’t be known until the day of debate. Front Bench amendments normally receive priority but since the Labour Front Bench felt unable to take it forward the amendment has been tabled in the name of the Group Chair. Even if eventually it is decided not to push the amendment to a vote for tactical reasons, at least this should enable the injustice for the ex-Jarvis workers to be fully aired on the floor of the House, and should give the campaign greater publicity and support and then put pressure on the minister to make concessions.

· Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill

The Bill completed its passage through the Commons on 14th October and is now beginning its process through the House of Lords. Proposals include a cap on tribunal awards and weakening whistleblowing protections.

7 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

The Red Tape Challenge Review of employment law and the Beecroft recommendations have led the Government to considering proposals on resolving workplace disputes and watering down the protections offered by the TUPE regulations.

· Growth and Infrastructure Bill

The Government is also using this Bill to bring forward proposals for workers to sacrifice some of their basic rights at work, in exchange for shares in the business. The Labour Front Bench is leading the opposition to this, and the Group will do whatever it can to support.

Further reference to these items of legislation can be found in the TUCG section of this report, since they were also the subject of concern for a number of other unions.

8 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Railways

On 3rd October Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin announced the cancellation of the InterCity West Coast franchise procurement following the discovery of significant technical flaws in the way the franchise process was conducted by the Department for Transport who set up two investigations – one by Sam Laidlaw, Chief Executive of Centrica, into the West Coast procurement process; the other by Richard Brown, Chairman of Eurostar, into the wider franchising programme. Meanwhile the ongoing franchising programme was paused, pending the outcome of the two investigations. However on 15th October it was announced that the Department for Transport was “ commencing negotiations with Virgin Rail Group with a view to them remaining as operator of passenger services for the West Coast Main Line for a short period.... while we run a competition for an interim franchise agreement.”

This West Coast Mainline franchising fiasco has led the Parliamentary Group to table a number of questions to investigate the process and intervene in debates to promote the case for public ownership. The Group supports the Action for Rail campaign’s demands for West Coast to be returned to the public sector as part of our wider campaign for renationalisation of the railways.

The Government have admitted in answers to questions tabled by Group member Chris Williamson MP that financial close with Siemens on the Thameslink contract will not be reached until New Year and that the Government have to consider alternatives in the event Siemens cannot deliver.

In the Opposition Day debate on Rail Fares on 5th September, there were contributions from Group members Katy Clark MP, John McDonnell MP and Jim McGovern MP.

John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): The new Secretary of State is not in his place, but I welcome him to his new position. He said that it is somewhat daunting for him to have on his first day a debate about rail fares. All I can say is: wait until we get on to aviation. I look forward to introducing him to some of my friends: Bob Crow at the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, Mick Whelan at ASLEF and Manuel Cortes at the Transport Salaried Staffs Association. On a serious point, I am sure that the trade unions will show a willingness to meet the new Secretary of State on a regular basis and to work together to improve the system. If hon. Members look at many of the submissions received by the Transport Committee in recent years, particularly from the RMT, ASLEF and TSSA, they will see that many of the issues raised and many of the ideas proposed, particularly on ticketing, have been reflected in contributions by Members from all parties to debates, particularly those centring on fares.

The agenda needs to be worked on jointly with the Government. The focus is on fares as the major problem that passengers bear the brunt of. I believe that the role

9 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

of the House is to protect our constituents—the travelling public—against many of the companies that are profiteering at their expense. The hon. Member for Northampton South (Mr Binley) gave an example of price increases in his constituency, where people are paying anything up to £6,000 or £7,000 a year to commute, and of how that is becoming an impediment to them maintaining work. That is happening right across the country, so I welcome the Government’s ticketing review and refer them to the evidence that the RMT has already provided to successive Transport Committee reviews of ticketing, in which we have emphasised the problems of the complexities of pricing.

On the performance of the companies with regard to their franchises and fares, it is unacceptable that, when a company reneges on its franchise commitments and then seeks to walk away from it, it is then allowed to bid for other franchises around the country. Any company that reneges on its existing franchise should be banned from being able to bid for another and profiteer at the expense of passengers.

John McDonnell condemned the McNulty review and commended the “Rebuilding Rail” report.

Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): On the question of complex rail fares, does my hon. Friend agree that the Government’s policy of closing ticket offices and reducing their opening hours makes it even more difficult for people? Frankly, the machines that are available at railway stations make it practically impossible to know what is the cheapest fare.

Katy Clark also pointed out that the cheaper train system in Europe is predominantly public sector, whereas Britain has a system that is based on the private sector.

The Labour Front Bench (Maria Eagle) proposal “that this House believes that the rising cost of rail travel is adding to the financial pressures facing many households; and calls on the Government to restore the one per cent above inflation cap on annual fare rises for 2013 and 2014, and to ban train operators from increasing fares beyond that strict limit” was defeated in a division by 294 to 231.

Group member Chris Williamson MP obtained an Adjournment Debate on 20th November on the Thameslink and Crossrail contracts and took the opportunity to remind the Government of the devastating impact of the Thameslink decisions upon Bombardier, based in his constituency:

Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab): Bombardier is the last train-making company left in the United Kingdom. We have got to this state, frankly, if we go back into relatively recent history, because of the privatisation of the rail industry, which has led to an uncoordinated approach to the procurement of trains and much short- termism. The train manufacturing industry in this country is left hanging in the balance.

10 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

As a result of the Government’s decision last year to appoint Siemens as the preferred bidder for the Thameslink contract, 1,440 jobs at the Derby Bombardier factory were lost. Some 1,600 remain, and 12,000 people work in the supply chain in the rail industry, which accounts for some 900 companies. Bombardier is therefore still a significant player, even though it is the last remaining train maker in the UK. I want to set out what I believe have been fundamental errors in the Thameslink procurement process. I also want to make the point—I hope the Minister agrees— that it is not too late to correct those errors. I hope, too, that he will give an assurance that the mistakes made in the Thameslink process will not be repeated in future contracts, particularly in the Crossrail contract that is due to come up in the next few years.

Replying for the Government, the Secretary of State set out the anticipated timetable for the Crossrail process:

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Norman Baker): Those first-round bids are being assessed by Crossrail Ltd. It expects to be in a position to shortlist bidders next spring, so as to move to the next stage of the competition. It is hoped that a preferred bidder will be announced later next year, with the project moving to financial close in 2014. The first train is expected to enter service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield—the first section of the Crossrail route that will be operated by TfL—in 2017. The full Crossrail service is expected to be fully operational in late 2019, with the central tunnel section opening in advance of that.

During the period of this report, Group members have tabled Written parliamentary Questions on Franchises, particularly the Inter-City West Coast Main Line, but also regarding Thameslink and Directly Operated Railways. Other subjects on which information has been sought include Fares, the Rail Delivery Group, Network Rail and Freight.

Written PQs

Railways: Franchises

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have held with Network Rail in the last two years on Network Rail operating rail franchises. [125148]

Mr Simon Burns: Ministers and officials have not held any meetings with Network Rail in the last two years to discuss the prospect of Network Rail operating rail franchises.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is making any preparations for Directly Operated Railways to assume control of the (a) Great Western, (b) Essex Thameside and (c) Thameslink franchises when they expire. [124394]

11 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Mr Simon Burns: The Department is currently not making preparations for Directly Operated Railways to assume control of the Great Western, Essex Thameside and Thameslink franchises. Future arrangements for these franchises will be made once the outcome of the independent reviews, being undertaken by Sam Laidlaw and Richard Brown, are known.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what declarations of potential conflicts of interest have been declared by individuals or organisations involved in (a) the Laidlaw review of the West Coast Mainline and (b) the Brown review into franchising; and what his Department's response to those declarations was. [124395]

Mr Simon Burns: There have been no declarations of potential conflicts of interest by individuals or organisations involved in the Laidlaw Inquiry.

Decisions about who to involve in the Laidlaw Inquiry or the Brown Review are for Sam Laidlaw and Richard Brown respectively. Final decisions regarding input into the Brown Review have not yet been made.

I will ensure the House is updated in the event that any conflicts of interest are declared by individuals or organisations involved in the Brown Review.

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether Network Rail can bid for rail franchises. [125243]

Mr Simon Burns: With minor exceptions (for example the Royal Train and track maintenance vehicles), Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd (the network operator) is prohibited under its licence from having interests in train operations or engaging in activities outside network management except in so far as the ORR consents. This restriction also extends to other Network Rail group companies. Network Rail would also need to comply with EU law restrictions relating to carrying out infrastructure management and train operations within the same group, for example requirements to keep certain track allocation and charging functions independent from train operations.

These considerations do not prevent Network Rail from cooperating closely with train operators to generate efficiencies, as for example with the Wessex alliance with South West Trains. They would however make it difficult for Network Rail to bid for a franchise given the way it is currently constituted.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what extent consultants have been used by his Department to advise on the (a) West Coast Mainline, (b) Great Western, (c) Essex Thameside and (d) Thameslink franchise decision to date; what fees have been paid to each consultant; and whether any conflicts of interest have been declared in respect of each such contract. [124851]

12 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Mr Simon Burns: A table listing the consultants involved in these franchise competitions, including the fees paid up until 23 October 2012, is provided as follows:

£ Technical Advice Legal Advice Franchise Leigh Fisher Steer Davies Gleave WS Atkins Eversheds West Coast — — 490,810 439,000 Great Western — 432,627 — 241,398 Essex Thameside 189,180 — — 98,740 Thameslink — — 462,418 136,080

With respect to declarations of conflicts of interest:

In a letter to the Department dated 3 July 2012, WS Atkins notified the Department of their sister company (Faithful & Gould)'s support to Siemens PLC during the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project. This letter provided multiple levels of reassurance to ensure that no conflicts of interest arose from this relationship.

In a letter to the Department dated 5 December 2011, Leigh Fisher notified the Department of their involvement in other franchising work, but provided assurances that this work did not involve any bidder participating in the Essex Thameside franchise competition.

All other consultants engaged on these projects declared that they had no conflicts of interest.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what innovations which have benefited passengers have been provided by (a) InterCity West Coast, (b) Great Western, (c) Essex Thameside and (d) Thameslink in each of the last five years. [124366]

Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport contracts with train operators through franchise agreements to provide rail services including improvements for passengers. This is the minimum level of service a train operator must provide, but it is free to implement innovations over and above those contracted commitments. The public register of franchise agreements can be found on the Department for Transport's website and this contains a list of the committed obligations in each agreement. Any further initiative developed by the operator will not be held by the Department. The Department does not hold a record of all innovations that train operators have developed and implemented.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the at-risk investment made by (a) InterCity West Coast, (b) Great Western, (c)

13 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Essex Thameside and (d) Thameslink franchises in each of the last five years; and what improvements such investment was intended to support. [124367]

Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport contracts with train operators through franchise agreements to provide rail services including committed obligations. This is the minimum level of investment a train operator must provide in delivering the rail service and as this commitment to invest in the railway forms part of the contract, no such investment is at risk. The public register of franchise agreements can be found on the Department for Transport's website and this contains a list of the committed obligations in each agreement. Train operators are free to make investments over and above those that they are contracted to deliver. Any further initiative developed by the operator will not be held by the Department.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the loss of investment arising from delays in the franchising of the (a) InterCity West Coast, (b) Great Western, (c) Essex Thameside and (d) Thameslink franchises. [124368]

Mr Simon Burns: No estimate has been made of any loss of investment arising from the suspension of the franchising programme. A number of major investments in infrastructure and fleet are being made by the Department and will proceed as scheduled.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates his officials have provided in respect of the end date of the (a) InterCity West Coast, (b) Great Western, (c) Essex Thameside, (d) Thameslink, (e) Integrated Kent, (f) South Central, (g) InterCity East Coast, (h) Greater Anglia, (i) TransPennine Express, (j) East Midlands, (k) West Midlands, (l) Cross Country, (m) South West and (n) Chiltern franchises; and whether any such estimates have been increased. [124369]

Mr Simon Burns: The Department is currently assessing the impact of the suspension of the programme for rail franchises, including those listed, and the implications for the time scales for awarding of contracts. This will ensure continuity of services while establishing the right approach in terms of affordability and value for money. Once this has been finalised and agreed we will provide an update to the House.

Future franchise competitions will incorporate the findings of the Brown Review which will report by the end of December. The terms of reference for the Review have been laid in the Library of the House.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his officials or consultants have provided him with any estimate of the cost to the taxpayer of delaying the (a) East Coast, (b) Great Western, (c) Essex Thameside and (d) Thameslink franchises. [124370]

14 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), has not been provided with an estimate of the cost to the taxpayer of delaying the East Coast, Great Western, Essex Thameside and Thameslink franchises. Future arrangements for these franchises will be made once the outcome of the two independent reviews, being undertaken by Sam Laidlaw and Richard Brown, are known.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect that the short-term extension of the West Coast Main Line passenger franchise will have on: (a) First Group and (b) Virgin Trains' membership of the Rail Delivery Group. [125179]

Mr Simon Burns: The issues raised in this question are a matter for train operating companies. The Rail Delivery Group is an industry body that is led by and formed of representatives from train operating companies and other industry stakeholders.

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have held with Network Rail in the last two years on Network Rail operating rail franchises. [125148]

Mr Simon Burns: Ministers and officials have not held any meetings with Network Rail in the last two years to discuss the prospect of Network Rail operating rail franchises.

West Coast Railway Line

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the expected timetable is for the awarding of the Inter-City West Coast franchise. [118117]

Mrs Villiers: Bids for the new West Coast franchise due to start in December 2012 were received in May 2012 and were thoroughly evaluated. The Department for Transport announced the award of the new franchise to First West Coast Limited on 15 August 2012.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she plans to take to ensure that on-train catering facilities are maintained at an acceptable level under arrangements for the new Inter-City West Coast franchise. [118118]

Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport announced the award of the new franchise to First West Coast Limited on 15 August 2012.

The new contract requires the new franchisee to make available either or both of:

(a) an on board shop or fixed catering facility; and/or (b) a trolley-based catering facility

15 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

in respect of at least 95% of passenger services, with effect from the end of 2014.

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the estimated £40 million cost to the public purse of halting the procurement for the West Coast Main Line franchise includes consultancy fees paid to date. [124781]

Mr Simon Burns: The estimated £40 million cost incurred by bidders involved in the cancelled InterCity West Coast franchise competition does not include the costs incurred by the Department for consultancy services in support of this work.

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether Directly Operated Railways would be able to take over the operation of the West Coast Main Line in the event that it is not possible to reach an agreement with another operator. [125242]

Mr Simon Burns: Following the Secretary of State for Transport's announcement on 15 October 2012, Official Report, columns 46-47, Directly Operated Railways have stepped back from full contingency planning. However, they continue to remain on standby to assist the Secretary of state should this be necessary under his duties under s30 of the Railways Act 1993.

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department had discussions with the EU on his decision to (a) discuss with Virgin its operating the West Coast Mainline on a temporary basis and (b) to invite bids for an interim franchise. [124848]

Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin) carried out his duties and obligations within the Railways Act 1993 and within domestic and European procurement law. The UK Government does not normally comment on its dealings with the European Commission or other European institutions. Any such discussions or dealings, whenever they do take place, are confidential.

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which organisations provided legal advice to his Department on his decision to discuss with Virgin its operating the West Coast Mainline on a temporary basis and to invite bids for an interim franchise. [124849]

Mr Simon Burns: The Department is currently sourcing legal advice on this matter from Eversheds LLP.

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what external consultants have been used by his Department to advise the Department on the West Coast Mainline franchise since 2010; and what fees have been paid to those consultants to date. [124857]

16 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Mr Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle) on 19 October 2012, Official Report, column 532.

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) UK and (b) EU legislation and regulations were considered in respect of his decision to negotiate with Virgin to operate the West Coast Mainline on a temporary basis and to invite bids for an interim franchise. [124882]

Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport carried out his duties and obligations within the Railways Act 1993 and within domestic and European procurement law.

Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin) carried out his duties and obligations within the Railways Act 1993 and within domestic and European procurement law.

The UK Government does not normally comment on its dealings with the European Commission or other European institutions. Any such discussions or dealings,

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of public subsidy was for each year of the West Coast Mainline franchise when operated by Virgin Trains; what the level was of fare box revenue in each year of that franchise when operated by Virgin Trains; and what the at-risk investment was from Virgin Trains for the duration of that franchise. [124097]

Mr Simon Burns: All of this information will be contained in Virgin Rail Group's statutory accounts, which can be obtained from Companies House at: http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2012, Official Report, column 897W, on West Coast Railway Line: franchises, what costs were incurred by his Department for consultancy services relating to the cancelled InterCity West Coast franchise competition. [128176]

Mr Simon Burns: The Department paid WS Atkins £471,080 (excluding VAT) for technical advisory services relating to the InterCity West Coast franchise competition.

The Department paid Eversheds LLP £340,859 (including non-recoverable VAT) for legal advisory services relating to the InterCity West Coast franchise competition.

17 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Thameslink Railway Line

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied that the Thameslink rolling stock procurement process was carried out correctly. [122808]

Mr Simon Burns: Yes. The recent announcement regarding pausing activity relates to franchising only, and so there are no implications for the procurement of the trains for Thameslink. As is normal for this type of procurement, before contract award, we continue to ensure that the Siemens proposal remains value for money.

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the Thameslink rolling stock procurement process. [122909]

Mr Simon Burns: The recent announcement regarding pausing activity relates to franchising only, and so there are no implications for the procurement of the trains for Thameslink. As is normal for this type of procurement, before contract award, we continue to ensure that the Siemens proposal remains value for money.

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the civil servants involved in the West Coast Mainline franchise process had any involvement in the Thameslink rolling stock procurement. [122804]

Mr Simon Burns: Some senior civil servants in the Department for Transport will have had some limited involvement in both the West Coast Main Line franchise process and the Thameslink rolling stock procurement process. However, the team involved in the analysis and evaluation of the Intercity West Coast procurement was a different team from that involved in the analysis and evaluation of the Thameslink rolling stock bid.

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects financial close to be reached for the Thameslink rolling stock contract. [124504]

Mr Simon Burns: The Department is expecting to reach financial close early in the new year.

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether his officials have provided him in the last six months with an estimate of the date the new Thameslink rolling stock will be delivered; and what that date is; [124445]

(2) whether his officials have provided him in the last six months with an estimate of the date the new Thameslink rolling stock will be delivered; and whether that date differs from that previously announced by his Department. [124446]

18 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Mr Simon Burns: We expect the first trains to be delivered for testing on the network in summer 2015 and deployment of the full fleet to be completed towards the end of 2018.

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his officials have provided advice to him on what steps the Government would need to take to secure the provision of new rolling stock for Thameslink if it is not possible to reach financial close with Siemens. [124447]

Mr Simon Burns: Department officials are working with Siemens to secure financial close early in the new year for the new trains for Thameslink. I am aware of the consequences of failing to conclude the procurement and as you would expect, my Department is closely monitoring progress, including assessing options were it not possible to secure financial close.

Directly Operated Railways

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is making any preparations for Directly Operated Railways to assume control of the (a) Great Western, (b) Essex Thameside and (c) Thameslink franchises when they expire. [124394]

Mr Simon Burns: The Department is currently not making preparations for Directly Operated Railways to assume control of the Great Western, Essex Thameside and Thameslink franchises. Future arrangements for these franchises will be made once the outcome of the independent reviews, being undertaken by Sam Laidlaw and Richard Brown, are known.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has (a) sought and (b) received advice from his officials of the necessity to expand the capacity of Directly Operated Railways. [124396]

Mr Simon Burns: Directly Operated Railways' principal activity is the management and support of train companies that are returned to temporary public ownership under the obligation to act as operator of the Last Resort. The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), has sought and received advice on the capacity that may be required to meet this requirement in respect of the West Coast Main Line.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff have been employed each year by Directly Operated Railways since its inception. [124397]

Mr Simon Burns: The number of Directly Operated Railways staff, also expressed as their full-time equivalent, as at 31 March in each of the financial years ended on that date as follows:

19 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

March 2010 March 2011 March 2012 Number 8 7 6 Full-time equivalent 4.9 3.9 3

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he anticipates that the number of staff employed by Directly Operated Railways will increase over the next three years. [124398]

Mr Simon Burns: The role of Directly Operated Railways (DOR) is to oversee the management and development of any Rail Franchise over which the Secretary of State has exercised their powers under section 30 of the Railways Act. At present the East Coast Franchise is operating under these powers and DOR has an appropriate organisation to fulfil these obligations.

While there are no planned changes currently, if the Secretary of State changes the role of DOR this will result in organisational changes to reflect the revised role.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many consultants and legal advisers Directly Operated Railways have employed since November 2009. [128071]

Mr Simon Burns: Since November 2009, Directly Operated Railways have employed 20 consultants periodically and legal advisers in addition to individuals employed by the business.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2012, Official Report, column 892W, on Directly Operated Railways, what advice he has received in respect of the capacity of Directly Operated Railways. [128072]

Mr Simon Burns: In the normal course of business, Directly Operated Railways provides regular advice to the Department for Transport officials regarding activities being undertaken in relation to their Operator of Last Resort role. Accordingly, regular advice is provided to the Secretary of State on such matters as required on an ongoing basis. This includes advice on current matters such as West Coast Mainline.

Railways: Fares

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there is a statutory requirement that determines the date by which the Association of Train Operating Companies must announce rail fare prices for 2013; and what that date is. [127872]

Mr Simon Burns: There is no statutory requirement that determines the date by which rail fare prices for 2013 must be announced. Each train operator sets and

20 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

publishes the conditions and prices of its fares in line with the processes in the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, which can be found at: http://www.atoc.org/about-atoc/rail-settlement-plan/governance/

Rail Delivery Group

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many officials in his Department have been assigned to provide administrative support to the Rail Delivery Group since June 2011; and how many will be assigned to such work in 2013-14; [125178]

(2) what (a) advisory and (b) communications support his Department will provide the Rail Delivery Group; [125180]

(3) whether officials in his Department assisted in the drafting of the articles of association (RDG Articles) governing the membership and work of the Rail Delivery Group; and whether (a) ministers and (b) officials in his Department can propose amendments to RDG Articles to the Office of Rail Regulation. [125181]

Mr Simon Burns: The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) was established by, and is fully funded by, Network Rail, the owning groups that operate the rail industry's passenger franchises, and the leading rail freight companies. The Department for Transport does not provide administrative support to the group.

Officials from the Department for Transport have not been involved in drafting the Rail Delivery Group's articles of association.

The Department responded to the recent Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) consultation on the formalisation of the RDG. The response can be viewed on the ORR's website at: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.10968

The Department will continue to work alongside the RDG to ensure that the group's work delivers the maximum long-term benefits for taxpayers and farepayers.

Network Rail

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing each of Network Rail's six models for forming alliances with train operating companies. [125177]

21 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Mr Simon Burns: The Department for Transport made no assessment of the cost of establishing alliances.

The framework for alliancing has been developed by Network Rail, which is a private sector company limited by guarantee, in order to secure maximum benefits from partnership working with train operating companies, reducing costs and securing benefits for rail users.

Railways: Freight

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which ports have functioning rail freight facilities; and how much freight by tonnage was moved at each such facility in the last 10 years for which figures are available. [126903]

Stephen Hammond: Information is not held centrally in the form requested. Information about the location of rail terminals including those at ports is available on the Network Rail website at:

www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/10520.aspx

Port freight statistics are at:

www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/port-freight-statistics-2011-final-figures

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which ports have functioning rail freight facilities; and how much freight by tonnage was moved at each such facility in the last 10 years for which figures are available. [126903]

Stephen Hammond: Information is not held centrally in the form requested. Information about the location of rail terminals including those at ports is available on the Network Rail website at:

www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/10520.aspx

Port freight statistics are at:

www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/port-freight-statistics-2011-final-figures

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the cost to the public purse will be of Network Rail taking over the leasehold for rail freight facilities from DB Schenker; [127330]

22 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

(2) what the cost to the public purse will be of Network Rail buying rail freight facilities from DB Schenker. [127339]

Mr Simon Burns: This is a matter for Network Rail as it will depend on the way in which Network Rail decides to fund the acquisition and the use subsequently made of the property.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which freight facilities will be obtained by Network Rail from DB Schenker; and what estimate he has made of the monetary value of those facilities. [127331]

Mr Simon Burns: A full list of the sites under discussion is available on the Network Rail website at: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Freight/Aquisition-of-DBS-freight-sites-consultation/

The Department has made no estimate of their monetary value; this is a matter for commercial negotiation between Network Rail and DB Schenker.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated value was of rail freight facilities (a) leased and (b) sold to the private sector at the time of railway privatisation. [127332]

Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not have this information available.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he proposes that all the freight facilities obtained by Network Rail from DB Schenker will be used to support the development of rail freight; [127333]

(2) whether he proposes that the freight facilities obtained by Network Rail from DB Schenker will be used to support other railway activities in future; [127334]

(3) whether freight facilities obtained by Network Rail from DB Shenker will be used to support non-railway activities. [127340]

Mr Simon Burns: This is a matter for Network Rail. Network Rail's consultation document states that its key objectives in acquiring sites currently held by DB Schenker include growing freight network capacity, facilitating non-discriminatory access to sites and expanding the portfolio of sites with freight potential available to all freight operating companies.

To the extent that any of the sites acquired may be subject to future disposal, Network Rail recognises that condition 7 of its network licence imposes land disposal obligations and Network Rail is committed to compliance with these.

23 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on the Government's rail freight strategy of the decision of DB Schenker to sell its rail freight facilities and leaseholds to Network Rail; [127335]

(2) what assessment his Department has made on the possible effect on the Government's rail freight strategy of the decision on whether freight facilities obtained by Network Rail from DB Shenker will be used to support non-railway activities. [127342]

Mr Simon Burns: None. Network Rail's consultation document states that its key objectives in acquiring sites currently held by DB Schenker include growing freight network capacity, facilitating non-discriminatory access to sites and expanding the portfolio of sites with freight potential available to all freight operating companies.

Network Rail's consultation document notes that the list of sites in question includes over one hundred vacant sites and a number of other sites capable of wider use which Network Rail considers to represent a significant potential opportunity to improve operational utilisation of the portfolio.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent discussions he has had with Network Rail and DB Schenker on Network Rail obtaining rail freight facilities from DB Schenker; [127336]

(2) whether he has discussed with Network Rail a timetable for Network Rail to obtain rail freight facilities from DB Schenker; [127337]

(3) what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials had with Network Rail on ensuring that freight facilities obtained by Network Rail from DB Shenker will be used to support rail freight; and what the outcome of such discussions was. [127341]

Mr Simon Burns: Neither I, the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), or my officials have held discussions with Network Rail or DB Schenker about these matters, which are a commercial issue between Network Rail and DB Schenker, although officials are kept informed as a matter of routine.

24 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

London Underground

Automation of London Underground

The Union continues to have concerns at the long term aspiration of London Underground to introduce widespread automation of the system including driverless trains and the automation of the oversight of stations and infrastructure maintenance. On 18th November, the 25th Anniversary of the King’s Cross Fire, the RMT held a demonstration to commemorate the event and warn of the dangers of de-staffing. The Group circulated news of this event to MPs and arranged for Frank Dobson MP to attend it and also table EDM 745.

Exploitation of cleaners

Jeremy Corbyn MP tabled EDM 723 drawing attention to the exploitation of the ISS Cleaners on London Underground and calling for the service to be brought in-house when the current contract expires in March.

Maritime

The RMT Group has been tabling questions and is seeking a meeting with the new Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond (see letter below). Our initial offers of dates for a Roundtable discussion on maritime employment and training have not been accepted, but we will continue to make efforts to secure a meeting.

Stephen Hammond MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary Department for Transport Great Minster House 76 Marsham Street London SW1P 2DR

14th September 2012 Dear Stephen

Request for meeting on maritime issues

I write to congratulate you on your appointment as Transport Minister responsible for shipping and to request an early meeting with you, MPs in the RMT Parliamentary Group and officials from the union.

25 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

As officials in your new department may already have alerted you, the RMT Parliamentary Group was pursuing a number of shipping issues with your predecessor, Mike Penning, at the time of the recent re-shuffle. Chief among these is the ministerial commitment Mike had given the RMT at a meeting, at which I was present on 12th July 2012, to attend a roundtable discussion in parliament on the subject of maritime employment and training. For information, we are looking at Tuesday 27th November 2012, 10am-12pm, for this important event for maritime unions and the industry.

We would, therefore, be very grateful for the opportunity to meet with you in the near future in order to discuss the above maritime roundtable, as well as to outline the union’s specific campaigns in the shipping sector.

We look forward to your reply and would appreciate it if that response could be forwarded to Simeon Andrews (details below), who co-ordinates the work of the RMT Parliamentary Group.

Yours, John McDonnell MP Convenor RMT Parliamentary Group

Written Parliamentary Questions have been tabled by Group members on a wide range of maritime issues including Treaties, the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre, Tonnage Tax, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, Ports, Channel Islands, Work Permits, the Minimum Wage and Fuels.

Seafarers’ pay is hampered by exclusion from the National Minimum Wage and diluted Equality Act regulations and other legal loopholes, as evidenced in replies to PQs. It was also confirmed that neither UK Employment Law or Work Permits apply to shipping between UK ports and the Channel Islands.

Many alarming yet useful statistics on the Tonnage Tax have been revealed through Questions recently tabled by the Parliamentary Group. They revealed that since 2001, the international shipping industry has benefited from a tax break worth over £670m but continues to do next to nothing to satisfy the mandatory obligation to provide training for officers or the voluntary commitment to ratings training for the next generation of UK seafarers.

Katy Clark MP and Karl Turner MP also put in for Transport Oral Questions on 18th October in order to raise tonnage tax issues, however neither were selected on this occasion.

Karl Turner has tabled further Written Parliamentary Questions on sulphur emissions recently and we await answers from the Secretary of State for Transport. A briefing on this subject was also sent to Shadow Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

26 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Written PQs

Shipping: Treaties

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2012, Official Report, column 876W, on shipping: treaties, what progress has been made in the international level discussions addressing the technical issues preventing the UK from ratifying the ILO convention 185 on seafarers' identity documents; when the last such meeting took place; and if he will make a statement. [120188]

Stephen Hammond: Discussions are still taking place and I understand that the relevant working group last met in March 2012. There needs to be a satisfactory resolution of the technical issues before there can be ratification by the UK of the convention.

Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 12 July 2012, Official Report, columns 41-2WS, on Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre, (1) what assessment he has made of the effect that the privatisation of this facility will have on the

(a) operational activities,

(b) operational effectiveness and

(c) training programmes of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; [124266]

(2) which Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels docked at Marchwood in each of the last three years; and what the vessel's task or purposes was on each such occasion. [124267]

Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the previous Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Worcestershire (Peter Luff), on 12 July 2012, Official Report, column 42W, in which he makes clear, our intention that the arrangements we are putting into place for Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre will take account of planned and contingent defence activity and will therefore not affect the operational activities and effectiveness of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary does not focus training on or around Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre and therefore any change of status is anticipated to have no effect on their training.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels which docked at Marchwood in each of the last three years are shown in the following table:

27 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Unit Task 2009 Lyme Bay Alongside Mounts Bay Embarkation Lyme Bay Embarkation Mounts Bay Disembark Diligence De-store Largs Bay Embarkation Largs Bay Disembark Mounts Bay Embarkation

2010 Largs Bay Alongside Largs Bay Cargo load Largs Bay Cargo load Mounts Bay Disembark Largs Bay Cargo offload Largs Bay Embarkation Largs Bay Alongside

2011 Cardigan Bay Alongside Cardigan Bay Embarkation Mounts Bay Embarkation Mounts Bay Embarkation Mounts Bay Disembark Cardigan Bay Disembark Mounts Bay Exercise Hawser Link Mounts Bay Cargo load Mounts Bay November Ceremonies

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 12 July 2012, Official Report, columns 41-2WS, on Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre, what his most recent estimate is for the commercial value of this facility; what the timetable is for its sale; and which private

28 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

companies have met (a) ministers and (b) officials in his Department to discuss the sale. [124268]

Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the Statement made by my predecessor, the hon. Member for Mid Worcestershire (Peter Luff), on 12 July 2012, Official Report, column 42W, in which he updated the House on the sale plan for Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre. We remain committed to a sale in the current spending review period and advisors are due to be appointed shortly.

I have had no discussions with potential purchasers of the Marchwood site. My officials, during the market testing and in assessing the market interest in the site, have met a range of companies. However, I am withholding the names of companies as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. I am withholding the information on the MOD's estimated value of the site as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 12 July 2012, Official Report, columns 41-2WS, on Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre, if his Department is considering the use of a private finance initiative contract in the sale of this facility. [124269]

Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence is not actively pursuing a private finance initiative contract. However, if market conditions were to change and it offered a more appropriate method than sale and leaseback, then the MOD would consider its use.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 12 July 2012, Official Report, columns 41-2WS, on Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the sale of Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre. [124270]

Mr Dunne: Defence Ministers routinely discuss potential asset sales with their colleagues in other Government Departments, including the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre. However, no meeting dedicated to this subject has taken place with the Chancellor.

Tonnage Tax

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which shipping companies qualified for the tonnage tax scheme in each year since 2000-01. [125182]

Stephen Hammond: The question of whether or not a particular company or group qualifies for inclusion in the tonnage tax is, in the first instance, a matter for HM Revenue and Customs.

29 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

HM Revenue and Customs administer tonnage tax and are prevented from disclosing the names of companies and groups within it, in accordance with their duty of confidentiality set out in the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on (a) jobs and growth in the shipping industry and (b) the operation of the tonnage tax scheme of the European Commission's Limassol Declaration of 7 October 2012. [125183]

Stephen Hammond: This Department welcomes the emphasis in the Declaration upon the importance of facilitating growth and hence employment in the maritime sector. No assessment has been made of the effect of the Declaration. However, growth and jobs in the maritime sector are of significant importance to the UK economy and tonnage tax continues to help maintain the competitiveness of the UK shipping industry.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of UK seafarers were employed on (a) tonnage tax or (b) non-tonnage tax ships in each year since 2001-02 [122061]

Stephen Hammond: Statistical estimates for the number of UK nationals employed as seafarers are available for years from 2002 onwards. Data for 2012 are not yet available. Tonnage tax companies are required annually to inform the Department of the numbers of UK seafarers employed on their ships. The following table gives an extrapolation of these figures to estimate the percentage of UK seafarers who were employed on tonnage tax ships in each year from 2002 to 2011.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many UK seafarer (a) ratings tax and (b) officers served in the merchant navy in each year since 1982. [122063]

Stephen Hammond: The statistics that the Department for Transport has on the number of UK nationals who are seafarers are not broken down by the flag of the vessels on which they serve.

Number of UK seafarers serving on board tonnage tax ships as a percentage of all UK seafarers Percentage 2002 21 2003 19 2004 14 2005 19

30 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

2006 17 2007 23 2008 23 2009 22 2010 18 2011 20

Source: UK Seafarer Statistics 2011, DFT and tonnage tax companies.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many UK seafarer (a) ratings and (b) officers there were in each year since 1982. [122062]

Stephen Hammond: Statistical estimates for the number of UK nationals employed as seafarers are available for years from 2002 onwards. Statistical estimates for the number of UK nationals employed as seafarers are not available for years prior to 2002. Data for 2012 are not yet available. The following table gives the number of ratings and the number of officers (certificated and uncertificated) for each of the years from 2002 to 2011.

Number of UK nationals employed as seafarers: 2002-11 Number 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Ratings 9,500 10,500 10,400 9,400 9,800 8,200 9,300 10,400 11,300 11,900 Officers 15,200 16,800 16,400 16,200 16,000 13,900 14,200 14,500 14,300 13,300 (certificated and uncertificated) Total 24,700 27,300 26,800 25,500 25,800 22,000 23,500 24,900 25,600 25,200 Notes: 1. Statistics for ratings and uncertificated officers are based on numbers employed by members of the UK Chamber of Shipping: No adjustment has been made for UK nationals employed by companies which are not members of the UK Chamber of Shipping. 2. Statistics for Certificated Officers are based on certification data supplied by the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency). Because certificates are valid for five years from the date of validation, for the purposes of these statistics it has been assumed that officers holding certificates retire from service at sea at age 62, and that 16% of other officers with valid certificates are not actively employed at sea at any one time. 3. At any time the number employed will be larger than the number actually serving on ship because of the need to have “relief” employees to cover shore leave. Source: UK Seafarer Statistics 2011, DFT

Shipping: Training

31 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to permit shipping companies not in the tonnage tax scheme to apply to the Maritime Training Trust for the use of Payment in Lieu of Training funds to provide training schemes for UK seafarers; and if he will make a statement. [130830]

Stephen Hammond: The Maritime Training Trust is an independent body and decisions on how it spends PILOT funds are a matter for the Trust itself.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many seafarer (a) ratings and (b) officers completed training courses funded from Payment in Lieu of Training made by companies in the tonnage tax scheme in each year since 2001-02. [130831]

Stephen Hammond: The Department does not hold this information. The Maritime Training Trust makes its own decisions on how to spend the funds it receives from Payments in Lieu of Training.

Tonnage Tax

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average payment in lieu of training (PILOT) made by a shipping company participating in the tonnage tax scheme was in each financial year since 2000-01. [130798]

29 Nov 2012 : Column 453W

Stephen Hammond: The information requested is not available. However, the number of PILOT payments made in respect of each tonnage tax training commitment year is given in the following table:

Number of: Company groups in Trainee Months met by making PILOT rate per tonnage tax months PILOT payments trainee month (£) 2000- 15 862 186 550 01

2001- 42 4,689 1,142 (1)550 02 — — — (2)562

2002- 59 9,590 1,657 573 03

32 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

2003- 59 13,043 2,457 591 04 2004- 71 15,612 3,293 608 05 2005- 77 16,549 4,066 621 06 2006- 79 17,648 4,410 634 ¦ 07 2007- 86 18,805 3,021 652 08 2008- 90 ¦ 20,816 2,810 671 09 2009- 90 21,909 3,929 685 10 2010- 90 22,138 4,128 743 11(3) (1) October to January. (2) February to September. (3) 2010-11 is the last year for which complete information is available.

Marine Accident Investigation Branch

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many investigations the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch conducted in each year since 1998. [120801]

Stephen Hammond: The number of investigations conducted(1) by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch in each year since 1998 is as follows:

Year investigation started MAIB investigation Preliminary examination 1998 38 — 1999 39 — 2000 50 — 2001 42 — 2002 24 13 2003 15 24 2004 31 34 2005 25 40 2006 30 43 2007 21 40

33 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

2008 26 49 2009 20 26 2010 23 18 2011 41 — 2012(2) 20 — (1) Based on start date of investigation.(2) To 12 September 2012

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) funding and (b) staffing levels were for the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch in each year since 1998. [120802]

Stephen Hammond: The funding and staffing levels for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch in each year since 1998 are as follows:

Funding Outturn (£) Staffing budget (£) 1998 967,000 1,579,266 20

1999 1,014,000 1,205,183 23

2000 1,158,400 1,450,562 26

2001 1,354,400 1,398,785 27

2002 1,793,000 1,695,000 30

2003 1,981,000 2,033,000 32

2004 2,301,000 2,560,000 34

2005 2,697,000 2,937,000 37

2006 3,216,000 3,368,000 39

2007 3,532,000 3,522,000 39

2008 4,046,000 3,808,000 39

34 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

2009 4,172,000 4,009,000 39

2010 4,173,000 3,832,000 39

2011 3,632,000 3,627,000 34

2012 3,629,000 — 33

Ports

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much public investment has been made at each of the 20 largest ports by tonnage in the UK in each year since 1982. [127656]

Stephen Hammond: Full information in the form requested is not held centrally, and could not be retrieved without disproportionate cost.

Investment by ports is normally undertaken on a commercial basis without recourse to Government subsidy.

Freight Facilities Grants awarded for capital expenditure at ports among the 20 largest include the following non-comprehensive list for years of award since 1998:

Port of Tyne, 1998: £0.7 million

Port of Bristol, 2000: £15.7 million

Port of Tyne, 2000: £0.3 million

Forth Ports, 2001: £11 million

ABP Southampton, 2002: £0.8 million

ABP Southampton, 2002: £1.2 million (for rail facility at Hams Hall)

Port of Tilbury, 2002: £3 million

Cargill plc at Port of Liverpool, 2002: £0.3 million

Sitos at Port of Liverpool, 2003: £0.4 million

Big Ditch Shipping at Port of Manchester, 2003: £0.5 million

Henty Oil at Port of Liverpool, 2006: £0.2 million.

35 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Grants in Scotland and Northern Ireland are now a matter for the devolved Administrations.

Channel Islands

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether ports in the Channel Islands are classified as overseas ports. [120804]

Stephen Hammond: The Channel Islands are Crown dependencies and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey are responsible for policy in relation to their ports.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on how many residents of the Channel Islands hold a British Seamen's Card. [120803]

Stephen Hammond: The Registry of Shipping and Seamen, part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, has records of 18 British Seaman's Cards issued in the last 10 years, the validity period of the card, to residents with postcodes in the Channel Islands.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether a ship sailing on routes between UK ports and (a) the Channel Islands and (b) France is classified by his Department as working (i) wholly or (ii) largely within UK territorial waters. [125549]

Stephen Hammond: It is not possible for a ship to travel from a UK port to either the Channel Islands or France while wholly within the UK territorial sea. The proportion of its voyage which was conducted in the UK territorial sea would vary substantially dependent on the route taken.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether ships flying a flag of convenience that are sailing on routes between UK ports and (a) the Channel Islands and (b) France are subject to the maritime safety framework enforced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. [125431]

Stephen Hammond: UK merchant shipping regulations, which implement international conventions, apply to all ships operating in UK waters, including those travelling either to the Channel Islands or France, regardless of their flag. In addition, any foreign registered ships entering UK ports or waters are subject to unannounced inspection visits by Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyors to provide assurance that standards of safety, pollution prevention and conditions for seafarers meet international standards. In the case of roll-on/roll-off passenger ships we also operate joint inspection programmes with our European counterparts.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether all crew regardless of nationality who are working on a ship registered under

36 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

a flag of convenience on routes between UK ports and (a) the Channel Islands and (b) France are subject to UK employment law. [125432]

Jo Swinson: UK case law has established the principle that a person with a sufficiently strong connection to the UK can take advantage of UK employment rights such as the minimum wage. Each case has to be considered on its individual facts. UK employment rights may be enforced by an individual through an employment tribunal. In addition, certain employment rights such as the minimum wage are enforced by Government. The Pay and Work Rights helpline (0800 917 2368) provides a single point of access to Government enforcement bodies.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether all crew regardless of nationality who are working on a UK-registered ship on routes between UK ports and (a) the Channel Islands and (b) France are subject to UK employment law. [125433]

Jo Swinson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 October 2012, Official Report, column 116W.

Work Permits: Shipping

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to the answer of 17 July 2012, Official Report, column 670W, on work permits, whether a vessel working on routes between

(a) UK ports and the Channel Islands and

(b) UK ports and France is classed as working wholly or largely within UK waters; [125096]

(2) whether domestic work permit legislation applies to a non-EEA seafarer taking up work on a vessel flying a flag of convenience working on routes between (a) UK ports and the Channel Islands and (b) UK ports and France. [125097]

Mr Harper: Work permits are not required by non-European economic area crew members of vessels working routes between UK ports and Channel Island ports, or between UK ports and French ports, irrespective of the flags under which the vessels are operating. Such seamen are not classed as working wholly or largely within UK waters.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 17 July 2012, Official Report, columns 670-1W, on work permits, which section of the points-based immigration system would apply to a non-EEA seafarer travelling to the UK to take up a job skilled below NQF 6 level aboard a vessel flying a flag of convenience working between a UK port and the Channel Islands. [125861]

37 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Mr Harper: Work permits are not required by non-European economic area crew members of vessels working routes between UK ports and Channel Island ports, irrespective of the flags under which the vessels are operating. Such seamen, therefore, will not need to apply for entry clearance or leave to remain under the points-based system.

Minimum Wage

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of seafarers earning the national minimum wage who were subject to an accommodation offset in each year since 1998. [121650]

Jo Swinson: I refer the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran to the answer I gave on 15 October 2012, Official Report, column 253W.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of times an accommodation offset was deducted by an employer from an employee’s wage packet in each year since 1998. [121651]

Jo Swinson: The Department does not hold this information.

Accommodation is the only benefit in kind that can count towards the minimum wage and employers can offset the cost of providing accommodation to workers up to a maximum daily limit. The Low Pay Commission is currently reviewing the accommodation offset and is due to report to Government in February 2013. We will consider its report carefully once it has been received.

Shipping: Fuels

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will take to minimise the effect on seafarers' jobs of the introduction of the 0.1% sulphur content in fuels used by the shipping industry in the Emission Control Area covering UK waters from 1 January 2015; and if he will make a statement. [125184]

Stephen Hammond: Pollutant emissions from ships are regulated by Annex VI to the MARPOL Convention. The UK supports the limits in Annex VI which are designed to improve air quality, resulting in consequential benefits for public health and for the environment. Emissions from land-based sources are already tightly controlled. Road transport fuel, for example, is subject to a stricter sulphur limit of 0.001%—a hundred times less sulphur than the limit for the Emission Control Areas (ECA).

38 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

During recent European negotiations, the Department was successful in curbing any gold-plating of the international standard in the new European directive for vessels operating in an ECA to a minimum. We also ensured that the exceptions and exemptions in Annex VI were replicated in the text of the new directive.

The Government are working with industry stakeholders to identify the potential effects of introducing low sulphur fuels. The Government held a round table discussion on 22 October with a range of industry stakeholders about the cost- effective technical means of meeting the new requirements. The Government concluded that further work to assess the cost of the new sulphur limit on ships operating in ECAs is needed and further engagement between shipowners, equipment manufacturers and regulatory authorities on exhaust gas cleaning systems would be beneficial. The Department will work with other Government Departments, industry stakeholders and other regulatory bodies to achieve this.

39 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Offshore

The European Commission’s plans for a Regulation of Safety in the Offshore Energy sector (which would require the existing safety regime covering the North Sea to be rewritten) suffered a welcome set back on 9th October when members of the European Parliament’s Research, Industry & Energy Committee voted in favour of the EU’s plans being contained in a Directive (which would not require the safety regime covering the North Sea to be rewritten) rather than a Regulation. This reflects the view of the RMT and the offshore oil and gas industry. We will be seeking a meeting to discuss this matter with the new Energy Minister, John Hayes. At the Parliamentary Group’s meeting with his predecessor Charles Hendry on 21st June, he clearly favoured a Directive rather than a Regulation.

Super Puma Helicopter

On 22nd October an EC225 Super Puma helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter, made an emergency landing in the sea after instruments alerted the crew to a failure in the oil lubrication system serving the main gear box. The aircraft ditched in the sea southwest of Shetland. This was the second such incident in five months in the North Sea involving the same model of helicopter experiencing, according to the Air Accident Investigation Branch, practically identical malfunction of the craft’s gearbox. We believe every means for the safe transportation of workers offshore must be explored and a review of the regulatory regime is required. Alex Cunningham MP tabled these questions on the issue:

Helicopters: Safety

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent discussions he has had on safety standards in the helicopter fleet servicing the UK offshore oil and gas sector with the (a) Civil Aviation Authority and (b) European Aviation Safety Agency; and if he will make a statement; [127775]

(2) what assessment he has made of the Air Accident Investigation Branch's initial findings from the investigation into the causes of the emergency ditching of a Super Puma EC225 in the North Sea on 22 October 2012; and if he will make a statement; [127776]

(3) what recent discussion on safety standards in the helicopter fleet servicing the UK offshore oil and gas sector he has had with representatives from (a) the Civil Aviation Authority, (b) the European Aviation Safety Agency, (c) trade unions and (d) offshore oil and gas companies; and if he will make a statement. [127834]

Mr Simon Burns: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has overall responsibility for assuring the continuing airworthiness of these helicopters. EASA issued an emergency airworthiness directive on 25 October following the ditching of a Super Puma EC225 in the North Sea on 22 October. As a precautionary measure,

40 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued an operational directive on 25 October to prevent helicopters covered by the EASA directive from operating commercial flights over areas of open sea until further notice. The CAA is liaising closely with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) over its ongoing investigation and has had several recent meetings with the AAIB, EASA and other interested parties.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues in the Department for Transport on the Air Accident Investigation Branch's initial report into the causes of the emergency ditching of a Super Puma EC225 in the North Sea on 22 October 2012; and if he will make a statement. [128093]

Mr Hayes: DECC Ministers meet regularly with Ministers in BIS to discuss a range of issues. As has been the case with successive administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

41 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Buses

Ian Mearns MP has tabled these questions on bus services:

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of (a) local authority and (b) privately-run bus services in England outside of London that have been (i) reduced or (ii) withdrawn since May 2010. [122571]

Norman Baker: Detailed figures for local bus service registrations, variations and cancellations are made publically available by Traffic Commissioners in their Annual Report, which is published on the Department for Transport website. http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/traffic-commissioners-annual-reports

Variations can include services where the frequency has reduced, increased or where a route change has been registered. More detailed figures on the reason for the variation are not available. No estimation has been made of whether a local bus service which is varied or cancelled is funded commercially or through the local authority. It is also possible for a registered service to have an element of both types of funding.

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many local transport authorities are currently taking the legal steps required to introduce a Quality Contract for local bus services; [122572]

(2) how many local authorities have contacted his Department with regard to a Quality Contract for local bus services since May 2010. [122573]

Norman Baker: The Department maintains an ongoing dialogue on many transport issues with local authorities and their representatives. Quality contract schemes will have been raised from time to time as part of these discussions.

There are two local transport authorities (Metro—West Yorkshire and Nexus—Tyne and Wear) currently taking the legal steps required to introduce a quality contract scheme. Metro consulted on a Public Interest Statement between June and September 2012. Nexus has produced a draft scheme upon which it is currently consulting. We are not aware whether any other local authorities have considered whether a quality contract scheme is appropriate for their area.

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional (a) regulatory powers and (b) funding for local authorities are proposed under the Better Bus Areas policy. [122574]

42 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Norman Baker: As part of wider bus industry reforms, the Government intends to designate a limited number of geographical areas as new 'Better Bus Areas' via a competitive process.

The full details of the proposal are yet to be settled as they form part of the ongoing consultation on bus subsidy reform. However, the intention is for the Department for Transport to provide a grant to the leading local transport authority in each of the new Better Bus Areas.

This grant will comprise devolution of the Bus Service Operator Grant (BSOG) currently paid with respect to commercial bus services operating within the Better Bus Area and a top up grant, proportional to the size of the devolved BSOG.

No decisions on the size of the top-up fund have yet been taken. We will be mindful of views on this put forward in response to the consultation on bus subsidy reform.

No new regulatory powers are currently envisaged as part of the policy other than to provide for the devolution of BSOG in Better Bus Areas.

43 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Trade Union Co-ordinating Group

The RMT is a founder member of the TUCG which was established in 2008 to coordinate campaigning activities on issues of common concern between member unions. The TUCG currently comprises ten trade unions - BFAWU, FBU, NAPO, NUJ, NUT, PCS, POA, RMT, UCU and URTU - and represents over one million trade unionists throughout the UK. NUJ is the Chair for 2012 and John McDonnell MP is the TUCG Parliamentary Convenor. The Executive Council meets every two months at General Secretary level.

The TUCG Executive last met on 15th October and will meet again on 10th December. The Executive discussions have focused on several key campaigns and in particular coordinated action over pensions and pay, privatisation, health and safety and trade union rights.

In addition to strategy and other meetings the TUCG also participated in the TUC led marches on 20th October in both London and Glasgow with updates throughout the day on the TUCG Twitter feed.

· Website

The TUCG website (www.tucg.org.uk) is now in operation and is being regularly updated with news, events, video and briefings which each union can use to inform a wider audience within the movement. As well as linking to the latest news from TUCG union individual web- sites it also features information on important Parliamentary campaigning activity promoted by each of the unions, including Early Day Motions, written Parliamentary Questions, and details of relevant Bills before Parliament. There are also plans to integrate a feature allowing members to direct a coordinated campaigning email at their own constituency MP.

The site also has the potential to be an important resource for unions to share information on common issues of concern, with sections on public services and privatisations; trade union rights; pensions; and health and safety.

To be effective the website will need a regular flow of information and briefings from the unions, and active promotion of the website as a campaigning resource for union members. TUCG has its own social media accounts, so please do encourage members to follow the @TUCGinfo account on Twitter, and “like” the TUCG page on Facebook.

Recently updated pages include:

o Key press updates on topical issues, such as Francis Maude's attack on facility time for PCS members in the civil service; the coordinated strike action of RMT cleaning workers; the further announcement of prison privatisation, and the alarming proposals for fire service cuts in London.

o The latest Early Day Motions, including EDM 745 on the King's Cross Fire and Staffing on London Underground; EDM 743 expressing solidarity with the Bakers' sister union in the USA which has been taking industrial action against a leading food manufacturer; and EDM 544 on the need for employers to provide defibrillators in the

44 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

workplace.

o Details of events to attend, such as the NUJ's Parliamentary lobbying event on the Leveson Report or the eve of strike rally for the RMT cleaners.

o Briefing materials on recent legislation, eg. the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill to tackle the power of the big supermarkets, and links to parliamentary information on the passage of relevant Bills.

o An online Workplace Temperature Survey, which has been promoted by the BFAWU as part of their “Cool It” Campaign for a maximum workplace temperature, to encourage feedback from union members on temperature issues in the workplace, so that an evidence base can be developed to advance lobbying on the issue.

· Pensions and Anti-cuts Campaign

The first of the Government’s pensions bills was published on 13th September, immediately after TUC Conference. The Public Service Pensions Bill sets out to link the public service pension age with that of the state pension, which the Government have announced will rise to 68, an increase of three years. The Government also initiated an increase in pension contributions in April of this year which has seen some public sector workers paying an extra £100 per month into their pension pot at a time when the cost of living is at an all time high.

The Public Service Pensions Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 29th October. Several TUCG unions provided detailed briefing material for MPs relating to their scheme specific concerns as well as the key concerns which have unified unions over recent months - increased contributions, working longer, receiving less in retirement. As the debate took place on a Monday and there was a only one line whip imposed MPs were not obliged to attend the debate. However, several supportive Labour and Nationalist MPs attended and raised concerns on behalf of several unions. The debate became increasingly heated between the Government and Opposition benches with Tory and Lib Dem MPs reiterating their line that the ‘Bill was the best deal possible for public sector workers and the taxpayer.’

MP’s such as Dave Anderson MP (Blaydon), Eilidh Whiteford MP (Banff and Buchan), and Katy Clark MP (North Ayrshire and Arran) referred specifically to briefings from TUCG unions including POA, RMT, FBU, PCS and NUT. TUCG Parliamentary Convenor, John McDonnell MP gave a passionate speech in which stated clearly that he opposed the bill and that it was ‘unamendable’:

“For me, the Bill embodies the Government’s policy and prime objective that the economic crisis will be paid for by public sector workers rather than those who caused the crisis in the first place. It typifies the Government’s approach.”1

1 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm121029/debtext/121029- 0003.htm

45 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

John McDonnell MP pushed the Second Reading to a vote in principled opposition to the Bill. However given the Labour Front Bench position to abstain the Bill was passed into Committee stage by 276 votes to 19.

The Bill entered the Committee Stage in early November and will enter into its Report and Third Reading stages in early December. Several unions will stage individual lobbies and meetings to alert supportive MPs of their concerns as well as providing written evidence for the Committee stages of the Bill. Several unions embarked on a joint campaign within Parliament in late November to brief MPs about their concerns regarding the link between state pension and public service pension age, holding a drop-in briefing attended by around 30 MPs and their assistants. The TUCG will continue to monitor the progress of the Bill and brief MPs on specific unions concerns.

· Trade Union and Employment Rights

The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, which proposed changes to employment tribunals, equality and compensation caps on fees awarded in tribunals, had its Report Stage and Third Reading in the Commons in early October. The bill had been met with immense hostility from TUCG member unions as well as the TUC and the Labour Front bench remarkably leant their support to some of the unions’ concerns.

John McDonnell MP drafted and tabled several amendments to the bill relating to the employment section and the Government’s proposals to remove swathes of the Equalities Act and all of his amendments were selected for debate by the Speaker. John’s amendment to remove clause 52 (changes to the Equalities Act) also received Labour Frontbench support, with both Chuka Umunna and Yvette Cooper signing it. Although John did not push any of his amendments to a vote there were debates on them which ensured that the issues relating to the amendments were raised and recorded in the Commons.

The Bill will now progress into the Lords and TUCG unions will be encouraged to continue to provide briefings so Labour and Crossbench Peers are aware of specific areas of concern. The group will also work with specific unions groups to establish meetings with Peers to coincide with the Bill entering the Lords.

There were disturbing developments at this year’s Tory Party Conference in relation to both trade union and employment rights. Francis Maude MP continued his attack on trade unions with proposals to limit trade union facility time with the aim of wiping out those who currently work 100% facility time. This was a matter which was raised at the last TUCG Executive. Unions have agreed to work together to produce evidence from employers and workers which highlight the benefits of trade union facility time and the presence of unions within the workplace. Although the Government have not officially announced any legislation relating to facility time, it is expected to arrive during the course of this Government. As always, John McDonnell MP and other supporters of the TUCG will continue to keep member unions informed of the progress of the Government’s plans and it will be raised again at the next TUCG Executive in December.

46 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Chancellor George Osborne announced during the conference that the Government would be aiming to ‘encourage’ companies to offer employees shares in the business in place of some of their key employment rights, including some maternity rights and access to tribunals for unfair dismissal. This statement sent shock waves through the union movement as Osborne highlighted that new companies starting out would only offer these terms and conditions and it would be implemented through legislation aiming to come into effect by April 2013.

In spite of the fact that this move was not well received by both employees and employers alike, with both the CBI and the Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s distancing themselves from the proposals, the Government have already put the wheels into motion on these plans through Clause 23 of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill which they are taking through Parliament at the moment. The Labour Front Bench are working closely with unions, campaigning groups and charities to oppose the proposals and are currently in battle with the Government in the Bills Committee Stages which will run in the Commons until mid December. Shadow Employment Minister, Ian Murray MP, has, through Unions Together, established an online petition, ‘Rights not for Sale’ which he will be presenting to Downing Street on December 4th. Ian Murray MP asked that all TUCG unions be informed of this petition in the hope that a final influx of signatures would ensure maximum impact on the day. An email was sent to all TUCG member unions a week before.

The TUCG will work closely with the Labour Front Bench in the coming weeks to campaign within Parliament against these proposals, using all parliamentary mechanisms at our disposal including the tabling of questions, an EDM and interventions on the floor of the House, and the issue will be further discussed at the next TUCG Executive in December.

In November the Government introduced a Statutory Instrument (SI) to make changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme so that compensation would be severely restricted to those most seriously injured at work. By using Secondary Legislation or an SI the Government in practice makes effective opposition virtually impossible since discussion is usually restricted to the SI Committee and the measure goes through ‘on the nod’. However, thanks to lobbying by several unions, including RMT, the Labour Frontbench at least managed to secure a debate on the issue so that our concerns could be raised and there was a substantial vote against the Government’s proposals. The RMT organised a demonstration on the day which the TUCG attended and updates were provided on both the facebook and twitter pages throughout.

· Health and Safety

The TUCG held a fringe meeting at the TUC in September entitled ‘Work under Attack – Health, Safety and Violence against the Workforce.’ The fringe included speakers from BFAWU, NUT, POA and URTU as well as contributions from Hazards magazine and John McDonnell MP. The meeting focused on the Government’s determined attacks on health and safety and their assumption that all health and safety is a ‘legislative burden’ on business. Unions discussed their individual fights against legislation change as well as their own growing campaigns within their sector.

47 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

The TUCG Health and Safety Working Party aims to meet in the New Year and the TUCG Executive will keep health and safety on the agenda for the foreseeable future. The group will continue to question the Government about their future plans for health and safety in the workplace and will continue to report to Executive.

Autism

In the Backbench Business debate on Autism on 20th November, John McDonnell MP paid tribute to the RMT initiative in organising seminars for trade unionists on this subject:

John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): For the first time, the trade union movement has taken up the issue. The RMT is running a series of seminars on autism to support its members at work who are on the spectrum or who have family members who are on the spectrum—a major breakthrough. I pay tribute to Janine Booth, who is on the executive of the RMT. To give Bob Crow his due, the union has supported the seminars 100%. I attended the first one and the second is to be held tomorrow.

What has come out is a thorough discussion of the scale of discrimination encountered just to get into work and once people are in work. There are some appalling examples of people being ostracised. That is why the union now says that it has a role in ensuring that recruitment practices are fair and non-discriminatory, and in representing its members when they are in work to make sure they are not discriminated against. Those discussions have highlighted some real problems and the need to look into employment discrimination and perhaps to tighten the legislation to prevent discrimination. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm121120/debtext/121120- 0003.htm#12112042001475

48 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

GROUP AGENDA

Group Meeting 3.00pm, Tuesday 6th November Room W4, House of Commons

Agenda

1. Apologies

2. Government Attack on Employment and Trade Union Rights

3. Railways

· Implications of West Coast Mainline Fiasco · Save Bombardier jobs campaign · Jarvis Pensions

4. London Underground

· Driverless trains and job cuts · Exploitation of cleaners

5. Maritime

· Seafarers Exclusion from National Minimum Wage and Equality Legislation · Tonnage Tax · Powers of safety reps

6. Offshore / Energy

· North Sea Safety - puma helicopters

7. Other Political and Industrial issues

8. Diary Dates

9. Any other Business

49 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

EARLY DAY MOTIONS

2012 -13 Session

EDM 59 London Taxis and the Olympic Route Network John McDonnell MP 18 signatures

That this House notes the inevitable pressures on London's transport network throughout the Olympic Games; further notes that the Olympic Route Network is an important component of transport plans for the Olympics; is dismayed at the decision not to allow taxi drivers to use the Olympic Route Network; believes such a decision will severely restrict the ability of taxi drivers to earn a living and will deny passengers the opportunity to use taxis; recognises the necessity of passengers being able to use the fastest and most direct routes; further believes that the road signage changes will undermine the Knowledge and so impact negatively on the experience of visitors to London during the Games; and calls for taxis to be given access to the Olympic Route Network for the duration of the Games with an exemption from the road signage changes.

Campbell, Ronnie Flynn, Paul McCrea, Dr William Caton, Martin Hancock, Mike McDonnell, John Clark, Katy Heyes, David Owen, Albert Corbyn, Jeremy Hopkins, Kelvin Riordan, Linda Cruddas, Jon Lavery, Ian Simpson, David Cryer, John Llwyd, Elfyn Skinner, Dennis

EDM 61 15 Year Age Limit for London Taxis John McDonnell MP 16 signatures

That this House values the contribution to London transport which is made by taxi drivers; notes the high levels of professionalism within the trade; is concerned that the Mayor of London's imposition of a 15 year age limit on taxis will have the effect of pricing drivers out of the trade and will damage the skills base in London; recognises the importance of improving London's air quality; and calls for the introduction of a scrappage scheme whereby taxi drivers can trade in their aged vehicles towards the cost of a newer replacement.

Anderson, David Cryer, John Llwyd, Elfyn Campbell, Ronnie Dobbin, Jim McDonnell, John Caton, Martin Flynn, Paul Riordan, Linda Clark, Katy Hancock, Mike Skinner, Dennis Corbyn, Jeremy Hopkins, Kelvin Cruddas, Jon Lavery, Ian

50 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

EDM 68 Ban on Pedicabs During the London 2012 Olympics John McDonnell MP 9 signatures

That this House notes with concern the danger posed by pedicabs to the general public and visitors to London during the Olympic and Paralympic Games; further notes that the drivers of such pedicabs have had no Criminal Records Bureau or police checks and as such may not be fit and proper persons; is dismayed by the lack of classification of pedicabs and subsequently lack of fare structure exposing the public and visitors to extortionate charges; is shocked that pedicabs have not been crash tested and are subsequently not possible to insure; and recognises that banning the operation of pedicabs during the Olympics is necessary to reduce congestion and in particular its impact on the emergency services.

Campbell, Ronnie Flynn, Paul McDonnell, John Cruddas, Jon Hancock, Mike Meale, Alan Cryer, John Hopkins, Kelvin Roy, Lindsay

EDM 134 London Midland Ticket Offices Frank Dobson MP 19 signatures

That this House is deeply concerned at press reports that the Government is preparing to authorise cuts at 86 out of 90 London Midland railway ticket offices including the complete closure of ticket offices; is appalled that London Midland stands to profit 1.25 million a year while services to passengers suffer and rail workers lose their jobs; condemns this cash for closures which will threaten passenger safety and security at stations and will discriminate against people with disabilities; is further concerned that the closures will result in passengers paying more expensive fares as there will be no staff available to advise on the most appropriate ticket options; shares the view of rail experts that the closures will also be a false economy with fare revenues being lost through ticketless travel; notes that some 18,000 people, including passenger and disability groups and the local transport authority, have objected to the closure; and calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to use her powers to support London Midland passengers and rail workers and oppose these cuts.

Bayley, Hugh McDonnell, John Burden, Richard Meale, Alan Caton, Martin Morris, Grahame Corbyn, Jeremy Riordan, Linda Crausby, David Skinner, Dennis Davidson, Ian Walley,Joan Dobbin, Jim Dobson, Frank Galloway, George Glindon, Mary Hancock, Mike Hopkins, Kelvin Jackson, Glenda

51 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

EDM 137 Training for Seafarers Karl Turner MP 34 signatures

That this House welcomes the Government's decision to retain the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund; notes that the annual 12 million fund will be retained for the remainder of this Parliament; further notes that only four per cent or 500,000 of SMarT funding is spent on ratings training, with the vast majority used for officer and officer cadet training; is alarmed by the findings of the independent study into the SMarT scheme that there will be a combined deficit of 4,300 in UK officers and ratings by 2021; is concerned that around 60 per cent of UK certificated officers and 75 per cent of UK deck and engine ratings currently active at sea are aged 40 or over; and calls on the Government to use funds paid in lieu of training by shipping companies benefiting from tax breaks under the tonnage tax to fund ratings and officer training in the UK, particularly as the proportion of UK seafarers employed on tonnage tax ships declined from 52 per cent in 2001-02, when it was introduced, to 27 per cent in 2010-11.

Anderson, David Glindon, Mary Meale, Alan Bottomley, Peter Hancock, Mike Mearns, Ian Campbell, Ronnie Hemming, John Morris, Grahame M Caton, Martin Hepburn, Stephen Pugh, John Clark, Katy Hermon, Lady Rotheram, Steve Corbyn, Jeremy Hopkins, Kelvin Shannon, Jim Crausby, David Howarth, George Sharma, Virendra Dobbin, Jim Jackson, Glenda Simpson, David Dodds, Nigel Lavery, Ian Skinner, Dennis Doran, Frank MacNeil, Angus Turner, Karl Esterson, Bill McDonnell, John George, Andrew McGovern, Jim

52 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

EDM 209 Falkland Islands Conflict and the Merchant Navy Mike Hancock MP 14 signatures

That this House pays tribute to the memory of the 17 Merchant Navy officers and ratings who lost their lives when the Argentine Air Force attacked the container ship Atlantic Conveyor and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram during the Falklands conflict; recognises the crucial role played by the estimated 3,000 civilian crew aboard the 22 RFA and 51 vessels chartered or requisitioned from the UK Merchant Navy by the Ministry of Defence which included minesweeping, troop transport, supply of equipment, fuel and food, hospital facilities, carrying prisoners and accommodating survivors; shares maritime trade unions Nautilus and RMT's concern that this level of support for military operation is not possible today as the number of UK Merchant Navy seafarers has fallen by over 52 per cent between 1982 and 2012, the majority of seafarers on vessels bearing the UK flag are now from other countries and the UK-owned and registered merchant fleet has shrunk to one-third of its 1982 size; notes the National Audit Office's finding that the Ministry of Defence paid 38 million above commercial rates to shipping companies for charter of tonnage for use in the first Gulf War; and believes that the thirtieth anniversary of the Falklands conflict demands an appraisal of the Merchant Navy's ability to fulfil its role as the fourth arm of the UK's defence capabilities.

Bottomley, Peter Gray, James Morris, Grahame M Campbell, Gregory Hancock, Mike Osborne, Sandra Campbell, Ronnie McGovern, Jim Shannon, Jim Crausby, David Meale, Alan Simpson, David Davidson, Ian Morris, David

EDM 291 Churchill Cleaners Ian Mearns MP 19 signatures

That this House commends the work undertaken by the cleaners employed by Churchill Contract Services on the Tyne and Wear Metro; notes they are paid minimum wage rates for the vital work they do; believes that the recent decision to freeze their wages was unmerited considering company profits had doubled over the last five years and directors' pay had risen up to 18 per cent; calls on the company to return to negotiations with Tyne and Wear Metro cleaners to resolve this pay dispute to prevent further industrial action; supports the cleaners and their fight for fair pay; and congratulates those councillors who are campaigning for a living wage in the North East region.

Campbell, Ronnie Glindon, Mary Morris, Grahame M Caton, Martin Hopkins, Kelvin Osborne, Sandra Clark, Katy Lavery, Ian Owen, Albert Corbyn, Jeremy Lloyd, Tony Roy, Lindsay Crausby, David McDonnell, John Skinner, Dennis Dobbin, Jim Meale, Alan Doran, Frank Mearns, Ian

53 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

EDM 386 Catering Facilities on Intercity West Coast Rail Services Gerald Kaufman MP 28 signatures

That this House welcomes the work of catering staff on Intercity West Coast services; is appalled at reports that some of the four bidders for the new West Coast Mainline franchise, namely Abellio, First Group, SNCF/Keolis and Virgin may be proposing to remove catering facilities from future services, including the removal of the onboard shop; believes passengers should enjoy the right to have access to food and drink, including hot food on these intercity services, this especially being the case when rail fares are the most expensive in Europe; is alarmed that as well as leaving passengers with a vastly inferior service, axing catering staff could also result in the loss of over 800 rail jobs; and calls on all the bidders for the franchise and the Government to provide urgent reassurances that they will be looking to maintain and enhance catering facilities.

Bailey, Adrian Galloway, George Miller, Andrew Caton, Martin Glindon, Mary Morrice, Graeme Clark, Katy Hopkins, Kelvin Morris, David Cooper, Rosie Howarth, George Morris, Grahame M Corbyn, Jeremy Kaufman, Gerald Riordan, Linda Crausby, David Lazarowicz, Mark Rotheram, Steve Cunningham, Tony Lloyd, Tony Sharma, Virendra Dobbin, Jim Marsden, Gordon Watts, Dave Esterson, Bill McDonnell, John Farrelly, Paul Mearns, Ian

EDM 419 Privatisation of Scottish Ferry Services Katy Clark MP 32 signatures

That this House is concerned at the implications for ferry passenger services and the workforce of the Scottish Government's decision to award Serco the 2012-18 contract for the Northern Isles; notes that Serco will receive a 243 million public subsidy for the 351 million contract to run these lifeline ferry services for profit; further notes that the public sector provider received 162 million for the previous Northern Isles contract and that passenger and business satisfaction with North Link's service was high; is deeply concerned that the sale of the Northern Isles contract increases the threat of privatisation of Clyde and Hebridean Ferry Services (CHFS), particularly on the more profitable Oban-Craignure, Ardrossan-Brodick, Largs-Cumbrae, Pentland Firth and Wemyss-Rothesay routes when the 2013-19 CHFS contract is tendered later this year; and calls on the Scottish Government to use the Final Ferries Plan to categorically rule out privatisation on CHFS routes and to honour existing workforce protections in any new contract.

54 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

Anderson, David Esterson, Bill Osborne, Sandra Begg, Anne Flynn, Paul Riordan, Linda Clark, Katy Francis, Hywel Robertson, John Connarty, Michael Galloway, George Roy, Lindsay Corbyn, Jeremy Glindon, Mary Ruddock, Joan Cryer, John Hopkins, Kelvin Sharma, Virendra Davidson, Ian Lavery, Ian Sheridan, Jim Davies, Geraint McDonnell, John Skinner, Dennis Dobbin, Jim McGovern, Jim Turner, Karl Dobson, Frank Meale, Alan Walley,Joan Doran, Frank Morrice, Graeme

EDM 723 ISS Cleaners on London Underground Jeremy Corbyn MP 12 signatures

That this House is appalled that in the 21st century, cleaners employed on the ISS cleaning contract on London Underground (LU) continue to suffer from exploitation and are employed on far inferior basic conditions than their LU colleagues; notes that the ISS contract is due to expire in March 2013 and calls on the Mayor of London not to renew the contract but instead bring this cleaning service in-house; and believes that not only will this lead to the more effective management and provision of cleaning services on LU but will ensure that cleaners have the same basic conditions as their other LU colleagues including decent pensions, fair sick pay, holidays and dignity and respect at work.

Campbell, Ronnie Galloway, George McGovern, Jim Caton, Martin Hopkins, Kelvin Meale, Alan Corbyn, Jeremy Leech, John Sharma, Virendra Dobbin, Jim McDonnell, John Skinner, Dennis

EDM 745 King's Cross Fire and Staffing on London Underground Frank Dobson MP 15 signatures

That this House notes that 18 November 2012 marked the 25th anniversary of the King's Cross Fire where 31 people lost their lives at King's Cross underground station; believes that the tragedy then and today's increasing passenger numbers and constant terrorist threat, demonstrate that it is essential for the underground to be properly staffed; opposes any proposals to de-staff stations and introduce automated trains; and supports the retention of the safety regulations, including minimum staff and training levels which were introduced in the aftermath of the King's Cross tragedy.

Buck, Karen Dobson, Frank Love, Andrew Campbell, Ronnie Efford, Clive Meale, Alan Caton, Martin Hopkins, Kelvin Mudie, George Corbyn, Jeremy Jackson, Glenda Sharma, Virendra Dobbin, Jim Lammy, David Skinner, Dennis

55 RMT PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Convenor: John McDonnell MP

List of Group members

Name Constituency

1. Diane Abbott MP Hackney North and Stoke Newington 2. Katy Clark MP North Ayrshire and Arran 3. Jeremy Corbyn MP Islington North 4. Alex Cunningham MP Stockton North 5. Ian Davidson MP Glasgow South West 6. Brian Donohoe MP Ayrshire Central 7. Paul Flynn MP Newport West 8. Kate Hoey MP Vauxhall 9. Kelvin Hopkins MP Luton North 10. Gerald Kaufman MP Manchester, Gorton 11. Ian Lavery MP Wansbeck 12. John McDonnell MP Hayes and Harlington 13. Jim McGovern MP Dundee West 14. Ian Mearns MP Gateshead 15. Austin Mitchell MP Great Grimsby 16. Grahame Morris MP Easington 17. Lisa Nandy MP Wigan 18. Teresa Pearce MP Erith and Thamesmead 19. Linda Riordan MP Halifax 20. Karl Turner MP Hull East 21. Jon Trickett MP Hemsworth 22. Joan Walley MP Stoke-on-Trent North 23. Chris Williamson MP Derby North 24. Mike Wood MP Batley and Spen

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