HC Deb 11 June 2002 vol 386 cc1131-3W
Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the GNER franchise will next be advertised. [59355]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

The current franchise agreement expires in April 2005. The Strategic Rail Authority will put arrangements in place for awarding a new franchise, in good time and in the light of progress on the development of the proposed East Coast Main Line infrastructure upgrade.

Mr. Mark Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) whether inspection bodies operating in the UK railway systems are accredited by UKAS; [59168]

(2) whether UKAS accredited personnel certification is used for those undertaking track maintenance and safety; [59166]

(3) if the sub-contractors employed by Railtrack operate quality management systems certified by UKAS accredited certification bodies. [59167]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

I understand that there are currently no certification bodies accredited by UKAS for railway specific purposes. UKAS will provide advice to the Strategic Rail Authority on the appointment of notified bodies under the Railways (Interoperability) (High-Speed) Regulations 2002.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list(a) the contractors and (b) sub-contractors responsible to Railtrack for maintenance of the track for each operating zone; what changes have taken place since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [59325]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

My Department does not hold the information requested, which are operational matters for Railtrack.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport. Local Government and the Regions whether(a) he and (b) his officials have met directors of Network Rail since they announced their bid for Railtrack. [59357]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

It is not the normal practice of the Government to discuss details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether train operating companies' driving staff are required to carry, and complete when they judge necessary, report forms detailing irregularities, incidents and other matters related to safe operation of the railways which are the responsibility of rail companies, their contractors and their sub-contractors. [58860]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

Train operating companies have various reporting forms on which drivers record delays and other incidents as they occur. Drivers submit these written reports to their line management at the earliest opportunity and before signing off duty. These forms usually have a section that prompts action by the train operator's management to inform Railtrack of incidents as necessary.

Drivers are required to report to the signaller all incidents that have an immediate effect on the safety of train operation or on the operation of the line. Reports are made at the time of the incident by either cab secure radio or signal post telephone.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions(a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) his officials have had with the Solicitor-General on the case for a corporate manslaughter charge arising from the Paddington rail crash since 20 May. [59819]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

None.

Mr. Norman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment(a) his Department and (b) the Strategic Rail Authority has undertaken of the ability of station operators to conform with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [59634]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

The Strategic Rail Authority published its code of practice "Train and Station Services For Disabled Passengers" on 6 February 2002. The Authority is currently reviewing each train operators Disabled People's Protection Policy (DPPP) against its code of practice and its DPPP guidance to identify where current facilities need to be improved.

Mr. Mike Hall

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received the report of the rail industry interview process carried out by Mercer Management Consulting. [61250]

Mr. Spellar

Following the High Court's decision to place Railtrack plc into administration last October, the Government wanted the development of railway policy to be based on a full understanding of the issues facing the rail industry. The Government therefore commissioned Mercer Management Consulting to manage a series of interviews with rail industry stakeholders to gather views about all aspects of the UK railways. Mercer kept the Government informed of the views expressed throughout the process and has now produced a report summarising the key messages heard. This has been made public today, and copies have been placed in the House Libraries.