Contributions
565 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)In today’s system, the ORR can require Network Rail to pay a fee to cover some of the costs of the ORR’s railway activities; that is done via Network Rail’s licence. The clause…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for his support—slightly barbed support, but support nevertheless. I have nothing further to add. I commend the clause to the Committee. Question put…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fifth sitting)It is a pleasure to see you back in the Chair, Sir Alec. I thank the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Broadland and Fakenham, for this group of amendments, which are primarily…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fifth sitting)The Government have made it clear what the provisions within these clauses are designed to implement. I ask the shadow Minister to look at legislation passed under his own…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fifth sitting)On a point of order, Sir Alec. Before turning to the clause, I would like to correct the record. My Department’s commitment has always been to publish the draft GBR licence during…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fifth sitting)May I begin by addressing the point about backseat driving? Following the shadow Minister’s remarks, I identified that this is something that we want to avoid not only in future…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)The Government are committed to creating a more locally focused railway under GBR. Provisions in the Bill and ongoing engagement with local government partners demonstrate the…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)Clause 6 amends the Greater London Authority Act 1999 by updating section 175. This will update the current statutory basis for TfL’s co-operation on railway matters by replacing…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)I beg to move amendment 165, in clause 6, page 4, line 25, after “functions” insert “(within the meaning of the Railways Act 2026)”. This amendment defines GBR’s statutory…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)Let me begin by addressing the point made by the shadow Minister about the discrepancies in the system in Greater Manchester as it applies to London. It is not wholly correct to…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)The hon. Lady will have to forgive me, but I do not want to be over-prescriptive, and that is for two reasons. The first is that, as she outlines, there are very different cases…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)I turn first to the definition of “may”, which feels as philosophically profound a point as it does a political one. I interpret “may” differently to the hon. Lady. Mayoral…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)The hon. Lady’s comments speak to the advantage of an integrated railway with a single point of accountability—whether that be at the local level, or through an integrated…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)My hon. Friend echoes a theme that we have heard throughout this debate: that those who live closest to the railway and the service it provides know best about its operation, and…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank hon. Members for their contributions. I will start by addressing new clause 30, which would require the full devolution of responsibility for rail services and…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)Clause 4 enables Scottish and Welsh Ministers to delegate their railway functions to Great British Railways, a subsidiary of Great British Railways, or a company jointly owned by…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)I will first address clause 3, and then listen to Members’ comments on the new clauses before responding to them in full. Clause 3 is fundamental to establishing Great British…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)May I test something from the hon. Gentleman’s perspective? The Secretary of State has a lot of oversight over how GBR functions under this new regime. One of her duties, and a…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)I genuinely thank the shadow Minister, the Lib Dem spokesperson and Members from across the House for their considered and meaningful contributions on this matter. It shows the…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)Forgive me. The shadow Minister points to the fact that we have, in his view, a dearth of ambition when it comes to what we have set out in clause 18. I would actually argue the…22 Jan 2026