§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in what circumstances the European Commission would have decision-making rights over an application for a derogation under Directive 96/48/EC and 2001/16/EC. [28557]
§ Mr. SpellarThe European Commission, normally acting on a qualified majority vote of member states, will decide on all derogations sought on the grounds that application of the technical specifications for interoperability would compromise the economic viability of an upgrading project on the trans-European rail network. This covers both infrastructure and rolling stock related projects.