§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on UK involvement in COTIF. [24124]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe UK is one of 40 signatory states to COTIF—the convention concerning international carriage by rail. Rail passengers and freight shippers therefore benefit from a uniform set of rules for international rail journeys, including conditions of carriage and compensation in the event of loss or damage. The UK is a member of the Administrative Committee of OTIF (the intergovernmental organisation comprising the COTIF signatory states) for the period 2001–05.
A new protocol amending the COTIF convention was agreed by the member states in 1999. This protocol is not yet in force and cannot be until it has been ratified by two thirds of the member states. New primary legislation is needed before the UK can ratify this protocol and we expect to seek these powers in due course.