§ The Earl of Mar and Kellieasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in Scotland the expansion of the railway network is a devolved matter and the maintenance of the railway network is a reserved matter. [HL2004]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)The expansion and maintenance of the railway network, including Scotland, are reserved matters. Funding of the Scottish franchise and the preparation of directions and guidance for the SRA's work in Scotland are matters for the Scottish Executive. If the Scottish Executive wishes to expand the railway network beyond the existing agreement, it may look to do so. However, it must provide the necessary funding from within its own budget. Work is in progress to devolve to Scottish Ministers the responsibility for the parliamentary process for approving the construction and operation of new railways in Scotland, but this does not affect the SRA's overall responsibility for the development of the GB network.