HC Deb 21 October 2002 vol 391 cc13-4W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations have been received from and discussions have taken place with the railway industry on the forthcoming Third Railway Package of the European Commission; and if he will place copies in the Library. [75594]

Mr Jamieson

The European Commission indicated its intention to bring forward further measures over the next three years to improve the quality of passenger and freight rail services in the covering Communication (COM(2002)18) to its 2nd railway package.

A number of industry parties and individuals commented on these future plans in response to the Government's consultation exercise on the 2nd railway package, which ran from May to 23 August 2002. Copies of the replies (excluding those from respondents who have requested confidentiality) will he placed in the library. My Department holds regular discussions with rail industry parties on the Commission's current and future proposals for the rail sector.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what submissions have been made by his Department to the(a) European Commission and (b) European Parliament with regard to the Directive on the Interoperability of Trans-European Rail Transport being discussed within the European Parliament; and if he will place copies in the Library; [75597]

(2) what submissions have been made by his Department to (a) the European Commission and (b) the European Parliament on the Directive on Safety, Licensing and Levying of Charges Certification of Community Railways being discussed within the European Parliament; and if he will places copies in the Library; [75619]

(3) what submissions have been made by his Department to (a) the European Commission and (b) the European Parliament on the Directive on European Rail Agency Interoperability and Safety being discussed within the European Parliament; and if he will place copies in the Library. [75611]

Mr. Jamieson

No written submissions have been made to the European Commission. However, Ministers and officials from my Department participate on a regular basis in Council meetings convened by the Presidency to discuss these elements of the Commission's proposed Second Rail Package. The European Commission is represented at those meetings.

My officials provided written briefing to UK Members of the European Parliament on these proposals in April, July and September 2002. I will arrange for these sets of briefing to be placed in the libraries of the House.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what submissions have been made by his Department to the European Commission with regard to progress on the implementation of the First Railway Package; and if he will place copies in the Library. [75605]

Mr. Jamieson

None.