Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Acknowledged
The Railways Bill provides a partial framework, pending essential details in unpublished future documents.
Conclusion
Understandably, and as with previous railways legislation, the Railways Bill gives a partial picture of the framework for a new regime under Great British Railways. The Bill is designed to last a long time and is accompanied by various additional documentation. The unpublished documents are important not just for scrutiny, but for confidence throughout the industry. This inquiry has picked up on issues that may be addressed in future documentation, such as issues of accountability and enforcement, the independence of the Passengers’ Council, and the potential truly to improve on rail accessibility, but this list cannot be treated as exhaustive—there may be other unintended consequences, conflicts or omissions that we are yet to be able to identify. (Conclusion, Paragraph 6)
Government Response Summary
The Government notes the recommendation and agrees that departmental select committees can be a valuable and important part of the scrutiny process, stating that they are pleased to continue engagement with the Committee.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government notes this recommendation and agrees that departmental select committees can be a valuable and important part of the scrutiny process. The Transport Select Committee has provided useful insight and the department would be pleased to continue engagement with the Committee as the Bill progresses and during the GBR design and set up process. On timetabling, the Government makes every effort to ensure that scheduling allows proper scrutiny to be afforded to each Bill, although the Committee will be aware that all scheduling decisions are subject to Business Managers’ decisions on timetabling and that long gaps between stages are not always viable. A Better Railway for Passengers Relationship between the Secretary of State and GBR