§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to improve the regulation of the rail industry. [14615]
§ Dr. StrangI have today signed a voluntary Concordat with the independent Rail Regulator which provides a framework for better regulation of the railways. The Concordat includes a statement of the Government's objectives for the rail industry, the Rail Regulator's aims and objectives, and a framework for communication between Ministers, the Franchising Director and the Rail Regulator. Copies of the Concordat have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.