Written questions by Wrigley.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of funding research into the use of Diethyl Ether fuel.

The Department has no plans to fund research into the merits of Diethyl Ether fuel. Renewable transport fuels that deliver significant greenhouse gas emissions savings relative to fossil fuel and meet stringent sustainability criteria are eligible for support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme. The RTFO has successfully promoted a market for renewable fuels used in road transport since 2008.

Whether she plans to introduce a contactless payment system for commuter rail services in Devon.

At this stage there are no plans for such a scheme. However, this Government remains committed to making ticketing simpler and more flexible for passengers and to working with local authorities to support integrated transport plans in their areas. We want to expand ticketing innovations such as Pay As You Go (PAYG) where possible and further details on any wider expansion of PAYG will be announced in due course.

What recent discussions she has had with South Western Railway on extending London Waterloo Services past Exeter St Davids to Newton Abbot.

The Department and South-Western Railway (SWR) are in regular discussion regarding its service provision, which aims to balance the needs of both passenger and taxpayer. There have, however, been no recent discussions with SWR regarding extending London Waterloo services via Exeter St Davids to Newton Abbot.

If she will take steps to enable disabled bus pass users to use their passes at peak times.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as extending the travel time criteria, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. The government recently conducted a review of the ENCTS, which included considering travel times for disabled passholders and is currently considering next steps. Currently, local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations under the ENCTS and offer additional discretionary concessions, such as extending the travel time criteria for the ENCTS. The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Devon County Council has been allocated £11.6 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.

How many and what proportion of tests for (a) D1 and (b) B category licenses resulted in a (i) pass and (ii) fail in each of the last five years.

The table below shows, for the last five years, the number of:category B (car) practical driving tests conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA);category D1 (minibus) 3b on road practical driving tests conducted by DVSA and delegated examiners; andtests passed and failed, including pass rate. Category B practical driving testsCategory D1 – 3b on road practical driving testsYearConductedPassedFailedPass rateConductedPassedFailedPass rate2020*809,509388,217421,29248.0%1,8151,41739878.1%2021*1,113,735552,166561,56949.6%1,9501,52742378.3%20221,667,935802,223865,71248.1%2,8342,24958579.4%20231,831,588883,114948,47448.2%3,4542,84960582.5%2024#1,479,177708,847770,33047.9%2,4462,02342382.7% * - Testing reduced due to Covid-19 pandemic# - January 2024 to September 2024 is the latest official statistics.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes proposed by Great Western Railway on (a) ticket offices and (b) station staffing.

Any changes to ticket office opening hours, in relation to regulated stations covered by Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, must be made following the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement conditions and Secretary of State guidance. The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with Great Western Railway on changes related to ticket offices at any of its stations.

How many current driving licences that entitle the holder to drive category (a) B and (b) D1 vehicles were issued (a) before and (b) on or after 1 January 1997.

The table below shows the number of driving licence holders with entitlement to drive category B (car) and D1 (minibuses with between nine and 16 passenger seats). The table also shows whether the entitlement was gained before or after 1 January 1997. Please note that drivers who passed a category B test before 1 January 1997 were automatically granted D1 entitlement but could not drive D1 vehicles for hire or reward (NFHR). This entitlement has also been included. Drivers with D1 (NFHR) entitlement must meet the higher medical standards required of Group 2 (HGV/Bus) drivers when their driving licence expires, normally at the age of 70. CategoryIssued before 1/1/97Issued after 1/1/97B20,955,10620,991,761D1233323,604*D1 (NFHR)14,302,640N/A * This figure also includes drivers who hold category D1 entitlement from passing a category D (Bus) test.

With reference to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Newton Abbot of 27 March 2025, what the evidential basis is for the statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport that up to 30% of drivers who take the D1 test fail.

The statistic of up to 30% of drivers failing the D1 driving test is quoted in the 2022 Driving Licensing Call for Evidence. It is based on data from April 2016 to September 2021, where tests were conducted by DVSA examiners only.Driving test, theory test and driving instructor statistics for Great Britain are published on GOV.UK each year by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

What recent discussions she has had with Crosscountry trains on increasing capacity on rail routes in Newton Abbot constituency.

The Department has funded 12 additional Voyager trains (60 carriages) for the CrossCountry network. Three trains are already in service with the next one due to be brought into service in April. The remaining eight trains are due to enter service with CrossCountry in May. This will increase the Voyager train fleet and enable CrossCountry to provide many more seats on its network including the Edinburgh to Plymouth route.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of re-opening the railway line between Heathfield and Newton Abbot.

There are no current plans to make an assessment of reopening the railway line between Heathfield and Newton Abbot. The Government believes that local authorities are best placed to promote and take forward transport schemes that will most benefit their local areas.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2025 to Question 27704 on Russia: Shipping, if she will list the Russian shadow fleet vessels that have entered UK waters in the last 12 months.

It is not possible to provide a list of suspected Russian shadow fleet vessels, due to national security considerations. However, the UK Government monitors vessels in UK waters which are of interest to the safety of mariners, the marine environment and the UK’s national security.

Whether all trains on the Great Western Mainline will be required to call at the proposed Old Oak Common station.

Future timetables for Great Western services will be continuously developed in the years to come, and timetable option assessment always evaluates the options for calling at Old Oak Common; but GWR trains will only stop there when there are good reasons for them to do so.

If she will make it her policy to introduce measures to limit the brightness of LED car headlights.

All headlamps are designed and tested to international standards to ensure they are bright enough to light the road ahead but not so bright as to dazzle other road users. The standards define the beam pattern and maximum and minimum light intensities. However, noting increased public concern, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes of headlamp glare and develop potential countermeasures. The work is underway and is due to deliver in summer 2025. Government will consider carefully the outcome of that research to determine what action might be appropriate.

What progress her Department has made on publishing a road safety strategy.

Improving road safety is one of the Department’s highest priorities. Too many people are killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users. The Department is developing a road safety strategy and will set out more details in due course.

What estimate she has made of the number of (a) Russian (ii) shadow fleet and (ii) trade vessels and (b) other vessels that have travelled to and from Russian ports that have entered UK waters in the last 12 months.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 07 February 2025, to Question 27704.

If she will take steps to open additional railway stations in Devon.

The Government is funding the construction of a new Okehampton Interchange station which is planned to open in 2026. Future rail infrastructure investment, including new stations, will be considered as part of the current Spending Review, which will be concluded in June 2025.

What recent discussions she has had with Network rail on expanding rail electrification to Devon.

Department for Transport ministers have had no recent discussions with Network Rail on expanding rail electrification to Devon. To deliver the government’s Net Zero commitment, the Government’s stated approach will be to electrify additional rail lines and deploy alternative traction technologies such as battery and hybrid where it makes operational and economic sense. This whole track and train approach ensures that we find the best solution for each situation, with a particular emphasis on taxpayer Value for Money.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that rail fares are affordable in Devon.

We are committed to reforming the overcomplicated fares system with a view to simplifying rail fares across the country. Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. This year's 4.6 per cent increase will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and will support the Government's long-term plan to achieve financial sustainability of the railway.

What estimate she has made of the revenue to the public purse from the sale of car owners' details by the DVLA to private parking enforcement agencies in each year since 2012, broken down by sales to each private parking enforcement agency.

The income from the fees charged for providing information about registered vehicle keepers by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is shown in the table below: Financial yearTotal (£m)20126.6220137.9520149.52201511.33201614.02201716.68201819.89201923.29202013.18202123.90202230.18202334.08 These fees are set to cover the costs of providing services to customers. Please note that the figures above do not just relate to requests for information from private parking companies. The specific information requested about private parking companies can only be provided at disproportionate cost as it would require the interrogation of each request for information to identify by whom the request was made.

What information his Department holds on commercial usage of DVLA vehicle keeper requests that result in failed parking charge notices.

The law permits the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to disclose information to allow the management of parking on private land. Information is provided as a first point of contact to help investigate alleged parking breaches, determine any liability and to help resolve disputes. The information is provided only to companies that are members of an appropriate accredited trade association and are subject to auditing to ensure the information provided is used appropriately. Private parking operators must follow a code of practice and have processes for private parking charges to be challenged, including referral to an independent appeals service. Motorists may decide to appeal private parking charges for a range of reasons. This is a matter for the private parking sector and the information requested is not held. The DVLA monitors complaints and takes appropriate action, particularly where issues with operators or specific car parks appear to be recurrent.