§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have taken place with the railway industry on the directives on(a) European Rail Agency Interoperability and Safety and (b) the Development of Community Railways being discussed within the European Parliament; and if he will place related documentation in the Library. [76191]
§ Mr. JamiesonMany railway industry parties responded to my Department's consultation exercise on the 2nd railway package, which ran from May to 23 August 2002. Copies of the consultation document and the replies (excluding those from respondents who have requested confidentiality) are being placed in the libraries of the House. In addition, my officials have participated in a number of seminars on these proposals organised by the industry and have held discussions with individual parties.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what submissions have been made by his Department to the(a) European Commission and (b) European Parliament on the Directive on the Development of Community Railways being discussed within the European Parliament; and if he will place copies in the Library. [76192]
§ Mr. JamiesonNo written submissions have been made to the European Commission. However, Ministers and officials from my Department participate on a regular basis in Council meetings convened by the Presidency to discuss these elements of the Commission's proposed Second Rail Package. The European Commission is represented at those meetings
My officials provided written briefing to UK Members of the European Parliament on these proposals in April, July and September 2002. I will arrange for these sets of briefing to be placed in the libraries of the House.