§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 28 January 2002,Official Report, column 54W, on train drivers, if he will state the locations at which information on train driver numbers is held; and if he will list the steps which the Strategic Rail Authority (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to encourage train operating companies to recruit sufficient drivers. [33964]
§ Mr. SpellarThe most comprehensive information on driver numbers is held by the Association of Train Operating Companies. Where train operators have experienced difficulty in maintaining sufficient driver numbers and service has deteriorated, the Strategic Rail Authority has taken enforcement action, as they did with South West Trains in 1997 and with Arriva Trains Northern at the end of last year. As part of the two-year extension recently agreed on GNER the company has committed to a programme of driver recruitment to help overcome the current shortage within the industry. The Strategic Rail Authority will be able to secure further provisions as other franchises are extended or replaced.