HC Deb 01 May 2001 vol 367 cc586-7W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the Strategic Rail Authority contributes to the Government's goal of tackling social exclusion. [158830]

Mr. Hill

The SRA's interim Directions and Guidance from the Secretary of State require itto take into account any Government policies which are relevant to the provision of passenger service in so far as they affect, or may be affected by, the fulfilment of your objectives".

A revised code of practice, "Meeting the needs of disabled passengers", will be issued in the summer; and the SRA is also promoting personal security for passengers, in particular women, through replacement franchise agreements

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport in and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implementation of the commitment in the 1998 White Paper on the Future of Transport that rail operators will be asked to report on their success in meeting the objectives in the code of practice for rail operators; and he will place a copy of these reports in the Library. [158829]

Mr. Hill

I will write further to my hon. Friend about these reports. The Strategic Rail Authority is working with Sustrans and BikeRail to encourage best practice and will be taking over the sponsorship from Sustrans of the Cycle Mark award scheme.