§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to increase the level of scrutiny of the performance of the newly privatised rail companies; and if he will make a statement. [13173]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonMinisters have given the Franchising Director new objectives, instructions and guidance under the Railways Act 1993. These require him to maintain a comprehensive and rigorous programme of performance monitoring, and to publish a quarterly bulletin describing the operating performance of franchise operators. Comprehensive monitoring is also carried out to secure compliance with franchise agreements and to operate performance incentive regimes. Passenger Transport Executives carry out additional monitoring of performance within their areas.
The Government intend to strengthen the regulation of the railway in the interests of passengers and to establish a new Strategic Rail Authority. Decisions about what new powers are required, and whether further scrutiny would be appropriate in the future, will be taken within our review of transport policy which will lead to a White Paper next year.