Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Bowie this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–12 of 12 · Department for Transport
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the revised volunteer model on the recruitment of coastguard rescue officers in rural coastal areas.
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunt...
What assessment she has made of the (a) recruitment, (b) retention and (c) operational capability of Coastguard Rescue Officers across different coastal regions.
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunt...
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to coastguard rescue officers pay on public safety.
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunt...
What steps she will take to monitor operational readiness following the Maritime Coastguard Agency transition to a revised volunteer model for coastguard rescue officers.
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunt...
What factors were taken into consideration in the determination of the September 2026 transition date for the Maritime Coastguard Agency's revised volunteer model.
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunt...
What representations her Department has made to the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure its review of Heathrow's regulatory model addresses the existing model's impact on (a) Scottish passengers and (b) regional
The Government recognises Heathrow’s role as the UK’s primary hub airport in supporting connectivity between all parts of the UK and the rest of the world, including for passengers travelling from Scotland. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the indepe...
What assessment she has made of the impact of the cost of landing slots at Heathrow Airport on regional connectivity; and what steps her Department is taking to help ensure (a) regional connectivity and (b) tha
The allocation of airport slots, including at Heathrow, is carried out independently by Airport Coordination Limited (ACL). The Government does not determine the allocation of individual slots, or the commercial decisions airlines make about which routes ...
What assessment her Department has made of the impact of Heathrow Airport’s passenger charges on the (a) affordability and (b) viability of regional connectivity for those travelling from (i) Scotland and (ii)
The Government supports regional air connectivity, including from Scotland and other parts of the UK, through a range of measures such as Public Service Obligations. However, the operation of individual air services, including those serving Heathrow, rema...
What assessment her Department has made of the impact of Heathrow Airport’s current regulatory model on (a) regional connectivity and (b) passengers traveling from (i) Scotland and (ii) other parts of the UK to
The Department’s assessment of the current regulatory framework is that it does not prevent domestic services being prioritised, including routes serving Scotland and other parts of the UK. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is independently responsible f...
What steps her Department is taking to monitor the risk of de-hubbing at Heathrow Airport and its potential consequences for the Scottish economy and international connectivity.
In January 2025, the government confirmed its support for a third runway at Heathrow, recognising Heathrow’s critical role as one of the world’s major hub airports, and in enabling international connectivity for both passengers and freight. The government...
With reference to driving test waiting times in Scotland, a) what the current average waiting time is for car driving tests in Scotland; b) how many driving test centres in Scotland have an average waiting time of (i) over 12 weeks, (ii) over 18 weeks, and (iii) over 24 weeks; and c) what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland regarding reducing driving test waiting times in Scotland.
The average waiting time for a car practical driving test in Scotland in February 2026 was 22 weeks. The table below shows the average waiting time in February 2026 for a car practical driving test at driving test centres in Scotland. Driving test centreFebruary 2026 Average Waiting Time (in weeks)Aberdeen North24.Aberdeen South (Cove)24.Aberfeldy10.5Airdrie24.Alness24.Arbroath23.8Ayr24.Ballater19.8Banff10.3Barra24.Benbecula Island20.8Bishopbriggs24.Brodick (Isle of Arran)22.8Buckie24.Callander24.Campbeltown24.Castle Douglas23.Crieff24.Cumnock19.5Dumbarton17.8Dumfries11.3Dundee22.8Dunfermline (Vine)21.5Dunoon23.Duns23.5East Kilbride24.Edinburgh (Currie)24.Edinburgh (Musselburgh)24.Elgin22.Forfar15.3Fort William22.5Fraserburgh19.8Gairloch24.Galashiels19.5Girvan11.Glasgow (Anniesland)24.Glasgow (Baillieston)24.Glasgow (Shieldhall)24.Golspie20.Grangemouth24.Grantown-On-Spey20.3Greenock24.Haddington23.8Hamilton24.Hawick23.8Huntly17.8Inveraray24.Inverness (Longman Drive)12.Inverurie24.Irvine24.Islay Island24.Isle of Mull21.5Isle of Skye (Portree)24.Isle of Tiree12.5Kelso20.5Kingussie19.5Kirkcaldy24.Kyle of Lochalsh24.Lanark11.3Lerwick24.Livingston16.Lochgilphead24.Mallaig24.Montrose12.8Newton Stewart23.5Oban17.5Orkney24.Paisley24.Peebles22.8Perth (Arran Road)24.Peterhead24.Pitlochry24.Rothesay16.5Stirling10.5Stornoway24.Stranraer24.Thurso24.Ullapool21.Wick24.
If he will make it his policy that the Veterans Railcard should cost the same as the HM Forces Railcard.
We recognise the contribution of current and former members of the armed forces, with both the HM Forces Railcard and the Veteran’s Railcard offering excellent value for money. The Veteran’s Railcard is managed by the Rail Delivery Group whereas the HM Forces Railcard is administered by the Ministry of Defence. There are no current plans to change the cost of the Veteran’s Railcard.