§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the decision by Network Rail to close its final salary pension scheme. [139159]
§ Mr. McNultyNetwork Rail's decision about its final salary pension arrangements is a matter for Network rail itself and the independent corporate trustee of the Railways Pension Scheme.
It is our understanding that there is no intention to breach the arrangements put in place to protect staff pensions on privatisation of the industry. The relevant 734W final salary arrangement will still be open to protected rail industry staff who transfer voluntarily to Network Rail.