§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in appointing chairmen for the rail access disputes resolution committee and the railway industry disputes resolution committee; how many applications were received for each post; and what salaries and costs are involved. [25452]
§ Mr. WattsThese committees have been established by the railway industry and the Department is not responsible for them or appointments to them. However, I understand that 45 applications were received for the post of part-time chairman of the access disputes resolution committee. A chairman was appointed on 1 April 1996. A total of 89 applications have been received for the post of part-time chairman of the railway industry disputes resolution committee. A chairman is expected to be appointed towards the end of April. Salaries of the chairmen and costs of the committees are matters for the committees.